Antisense oligonucleotide modulation of STAT3 expression

ABSTRACT

Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting the expression of human STAT3. The compositions comprise antisense oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acids encoding STAT3. Methods of using these oligonucleotides for inhibition of STAT3 expression and for promotion of apoptosis are provided. Methods for treatment of diseases, particularly inflammatory diseases and cancers, associated with overexpression or constitutive activation of STAT3 or insufficient apoptosis are also provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/429,156, filed Apr. 23, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/829,279, filed Jul. 27, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/376,033, filed Mar. 15, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,307,069, which is a divisional U.S. application Ser. No. 10/773,678, filed Feb. 6, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,192, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled ISPH0828USC2SEQ.txt, created on Apr. 19, 2012 which is 192 Kb in size. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating expression of the human STAT3 gene, which encodes a naturally present DNA-binding protein involved in signal transduction and transcriptional activation, and is implicated in disease. This invention is also directed to methods for inhibiting STAT3-mediated signal transduction and transcriptional activation; these methods can be used diagnostically or therapeutically. Furthermore, this invention is directed to treatment of conditions associated with expression of the human STAT3 gene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) family of proteins are DNA-binding proteins that play a dual role in signal transduction and activation of transcription. Presently, there are six distinct members of the STAT family (STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, and STAT6) and several isoforms (STAT1α, STAT1β, STAT3π and STAT3 β). The activities of the STATs are modulated by various cytokines and mitogenic stimuli. Binding of a cytokine to its receptor results in the activation of Janus protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) associated with these receptors. This in turn, phosphorylates STAT, resulting in translocation to the nucleus and transcriptional activation of STAT responsive genes. Phosphorylation on a specific tyrosine residue on the STATs results in their activation, resulting in the formation of homodimers and/or heterodimers of STAT which bind to specific gene promoter sequences. Events mediated by cytokines through STAT activation include cell proliferation and differentiation and prevention of apoptosis. The specificity of STAT activation is due to specific cytokines, i.e. each STAT is responsive to a small number of specific cytokines. Other non-cytokine signaling molecules, such as growth factors, have also been found to activate STATs. Binding of these factors to a cell surface receptor associated with protein tyrosine kinase also results in phosphorylation of STAT.

STAT3 (also acute phase response factor (APRF)), in particular, has been found to be responsive to interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as epidermal growth factor (EGF) (Darnell, Jr., J. E., et al., Science, 1994, 264, 1415-1421). In addition, STAT3 has been found to have an important role in signal transduction by interferons (Yang, C.-H., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95, 5568-5572). Evidence exists suggesting that STAT3 may be regulated by the MAPK pathway. ERK2 induces serine phosphorylation and also associates with STAT3 (Jain, N., et al., Oncogene, 1998, 17, 3157-3167).

STAT3 is expressed in most cell types (Zhong, Z., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1994, 91, 4806-4810). It induces the expression of genes involved in response to tissue injury and inflammation. STAT3 has also been shown to prevent apoptosis through the expression of bcl-2 (Fukada, T., et al., Immunity, 1996, 5, 449-460).

Aberrant expression of or constitutive expression of STAT3 is associated with a number of disease processes. STAT3 has been shown to be involved in cell transformation. It is constitutively activated in v-src-transformed cells (Yu, C.-L., et al., Science, 1995, 269, 81-83). Constitutively active STAT3 also induces STAT3 mediated gene expression and is required for cell transformation by src (Turkson, J., et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 1998, 18, 2545-2552). STAT3 is also constitutively active in Human T cell lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) transformed cells (Migone, T.-S. et al., Science, 1995, 269, 79-83).

Constitutive activation and/or overexpression of STAT3 appears to be involved in several forms of cancer, including myeloma, breast carcinomas, prostate cancer, brain tumors, head and neck carcinomas, melanoma, leukemias and lymphomas, particularly chronic myelogenous leukemia and multiple myeloma. Niu et al., Cancer Res., 1999, 59, 5059-5063. Breast cancer cell lines that overexpress EGFR constitutively express phosphorylated STAT3 (Sartor, C. I., et al., Cancer Res., 1997, 57, 978-987; Garcia, R., et al., Cell Growth and Differentiation, 1997, 8, 1267-1276). Activated STAT3 levels were also found to be elevated in low grade glioblastomas and medulloblastomas (Cattaneo, E., et al., Anticancer Res., 1998, 18, 2381-2387).

Cells derived from both rat and human prostate cancers have been shown to have constitutively activated STAT3, with STAT3 activation being correlated with malignant potential. Expression of a dominant-negative STAT3 was found to significantly inhibit the growth of human prostate cells. Ni et al., Cancer Res., 2000, 60, 1225-1228.

STAT3 has also been found to be constitutively activated in some acute leukemias (Gouilleux-Gruart, V., et al., Leuk. Lymphoma, 1997, 28, 83-88) and T cell lymphoma (Yu, C.-L., et al., J. Immunol., 1997, 159, 5206-5210). Interestingly, STAT3 has been found to be constitutively phosphorylated on a serine residue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (Frank, D. A., et al., J. Clin. Invest., 1997, 100, 3140-3148). In addition, antisense oligonucleotides to STAT3 have been shown to promote apoptosis in non small cell lung cancer cells (Song et al., Oncogene 22:4150, 2003) and prostate cancer cells (Mora et al., Cancer Res. 62:6659, 2002).

STAT3 has been found to be constitutively active in myeloma tumor cells, both in culture and in bone marrow mononuclear cells from patients with multiple myeloma. These cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis and express high levels of Bcl-xL. STAT3 signaling was shown to be essential for survival of myeloma tumor cells by conferring resistance to apoptosis. Thus STAT3 is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in multiple myeloma and other cancers with activated STAT3 signaling. There is a distinct medical need for novel therapies for chemoresistant myeloma. Velcade was approved in May 2003 with an 188 evaluable patient pivotal trial based on tumor shrinkage, not survival. 28% showed a partial tresponse. The data is currently under FDA review.

Catlett-Falcone, R., et al., Immunity, 1999, 10, 105-115. A gene therapy approach in a syngeneic mouse tumor model system has been used to inhibit activated STAT3 in vivo using a dominant-negative STAT3 variant. This inhibition of activated STAT3 signaling was found to suppress B16 melanoma tumor growth and induce apoptosis of B16 tumor cells in vivo. Interestingly, the number of apoptotic cells (95%) exceeded the number of transfected cells, indicating a possible antitumor “bystander effect” in which an inflammatory response (tumor infiltration by acute and chronic inflammatory cells) may participate in killing of residual tumor cells. Niu et al., Cancer Res., 1999, 59, 5059-5063. Constitutively activated STAT3 is also associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

STAT3 may also play a role in inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Activated STAT3 has been found in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients (Sengupta, T. K., et al., J. Exp. Med., 1995, 181, 1015-1025) and cells from inflamed joints (Wang, F., et al., J. Exp. Med., 1995, 182, 1825-1831).

Multiple forms of STAT3 exist, generated by alternative splicing. STAT3β is a short form of STAT3 (also, STAT3α) that differs predominately by the absence of 55 amino acid residues at the C-terminus. This domain contains the transactivation domain, and thus, STAT3β may act as a negative regulator of STAT3 function (Caldenhoven, E., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1996, 271, 13221-13227). STAT3β has been found to be more stable and have greater DNA-binding activity than STAT3α, while STAT3α is more transcriptionally active.

There are currently several approaches for inhibiting STAT3 expression. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,719,042 and 5,844,082 to Akira, S. and Kishimoto, T. disclose the use of inhibitors of APRF, including antibodies, antisense nucleic acids and ribozymes for the treatment of IL-6 associated diseases, such as inflammatory diseases, leukemia, and cancer. Schreiber, R. D., et al., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,731,155; 5,582,999; and 5,463,023, disclose methods of inhibiting transcriptional activation using short peptides that bind p91. Darnell, J. E., et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,622, disclose peptides containing the DNA binding domain of STATs, chimeric proteins containing the DNA binding domain, and antibodies to STATs for inhibiting STAT transcriptional activation.

The use of an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the translation start region of human STAT3 has been disclosed (Grandis, J. R., et al., J. Clin. Invest., 1998, 102, 1385-1392). In this report, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the translation start region of STAT3 inhibited TGF-β stimulated cell growth mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

There remains an unmet need for therapeutic compositions and methods targeting expression of STAT3, and disease processes associated therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides oligonucleotides which are targeted to nucleic acids encoding STAT3 and are capable of modulating STAT3 expression. The present invention also provides chimeric oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acids encoding human STAT3. The oligonucleotides of the invention are believed to be useful both diagnostically and therapeutically, and are believed to be particularly useful in the methods of the present invention.

The present invention also comprises methods of modulating the expression of human STAT3, in cells and tissues, using the oligonucleotides of the invention. Methods of inhibiting STAT3 expression are provided; these methods are believed to be useful both therapeutically and diagnostically. These methods are also useful as tools, for example, for detecting and determining the role of STAT3 in various cell functions and physiological processes and conditions and for diagnosing conditions associated with expression of STAT3.

The present invention also comprises methods for diagnosing and treating inflammatory diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, and cancers, including those of the breast, prostate, head and neck, and brain, myelomas and melanomas and leukemias and lymphomas. These methods are believed to be useful, for example, in diagnosing STAT3-associated disease progression. These methods employ the oligonucleotides of the invention. These methods are believed to be useful both therapeutically, including prophylactically, and as clinical research and diagnostic tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

STAT3 plays an important role in cytokine signal transduction. Overexpression and/or constitutive activation of STAT3 is associated with a number of inflammatory diseases and cancers. As such, this DNA-binding protein represents an attractive target for treatment of such diseases. In particular, modulation of the expression of STAT3 may be useful for the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, head and neck cancer, myelomas, melanomas, leukemias and lymphomas.

The present invention employs antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, for use in modulating the function of nucleic acid molecules encoding STAT3, ultimately modulating the amount of STAT3 produced. This is accomplished by providing oligonucleotides which specifically hybridize with nucleic acids, preferably mRNA, encoding STAT3.

This relationship between an antisense compound such as an oligonucleotide and its complementary nucleic acid target, to which it hybridizes, is commonly referred to as “antisense”. “Targeting” an oligonucleotide to a chosen nucleic acid target, in the context of this invention, is a multistep process. The process usually begins with identifying a nucleic acid sequence whose function is to be modulated. This may be, as examples, a cellular gene (or mRNA made from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disease state, or a foreign nucleic acid from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the targets are nucleic acids encoding STAT3; in other words, a gene encoding STAT3, or mRNA expressed from the STAT3 gene. mRNA which encodes STAT3 is presently the preferred target. The targeting process also includes determination of a site or sites within the nucleic acid sequence for the antisense interaction to occur such that modulation of gene expression will result.

In accordance with this invention, persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that messenger RNA includes not only the information to encode a protein using the three letter genetic code, but also associated ribonucleotides which form a region known to such persons as the 5′-untranslated region, the 3′-untranslated region, the 5′ cap region and intron/exon junction ribonucleotides. Thus, oligonucleotides may be formulated in accordance with this invention which are targeted wholly or in part to these associated ribonucleotides as well as to the informational ribonucleotides. The oligonucleotide may therefore be specifically hybridizable with a transcription initiation site region, a translation initiation codon region, a 5′ cap region, an intron/exon junction, coding sequences, a translation termination codon region or sequences in the 5′- or 3′-untranslated region. Since, as is known in the art, the translation initiation codon is typically 5′-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5′-ATG in the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as the “AUG codon,” the “start codon” or the “AUG start codon.” A minority of genes have a translation initiation codon having the RNA sequence 5′-GUG, 5′-UUG or 5′-CUG, and 5′-AUA, 5′-ACG and 5′-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the terms “translation initiation codon” and “start codon” can encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (prokaryotes). It is also known in the art that eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of conditions. In the context of the invention, “start codon” and “translation initiation codon” refer to the codon or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA molecule transcribed from a gene encoding STAT3, regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons. It is also known in the art that a translation termination codon (or “stop codon”) of a gene may have one of three sequences, i.e., 5′-UAA, 5′-UAG and 5′-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences are 5′-TAA, 5′-TAG and 5′-TGA, respectively). The terms “start codon region,” “AUG region” and “translation initiation codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation initiation codon. This region is a preferred target region. Similarly, the terms “stop codon region” and “translation termination codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation termination codon. This region is a preferred target region. The open reading frame (ORF) or “coding region,” which is known in the art to refer to the region between the translation initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a region which may be targeted effectively. Other preferred target regions include the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 5′ direction from the translation initiation codon, and thus including nucleotides between the 5′ cap site and the translation initiation codon of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene and the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 3′ direction from the translation termination codon, and thus including nucleotides between the translation termination codon and 3′ end of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene. The 5′ cap of an mRNA comprises an N7-methylated guanosine residue joined to the 5′-most residue of the mRNA via a 5′-5′ triphosphate linkage. The 5′ cap region of an mRNA is considered to include the 5′ cap structure itself as well as the first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap. The 5′ cap region may also be a preferred target region.

Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly translated, many contain one or more regions, known as “introns”, which are excised from a pre-mRNA transcript to yield one or more mature mRNA. The remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as “exons” and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence. mRNA splice sites, i.e., exon-exon or intron-exon junctions, may also be preferred target regions, and are particularly useful in situations where aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an overproduction of a particular mRNA splice product is implicated in disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or deletions are also preferred targets. Targeting particular exons in alternatively spliced mRNAs may also be preferred. It has also been found that introns can also be effective, and therefore preferred, target regions for antisense compounds targeted, for example, to DNA or pre-mRNA.

Once the target site or sites have been identified, oligonucleotides are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity, to give the desired modulation.

“Hybridization”, in the context of this invention, means hydrogen bonding, also known as Watson-Crick base pairing, between complementary bases, usually on opposite nucleic acid strands or two regions of a nucleic acid strand. Guanine and cytosine are examples of complementary bases which are known to form three hydrogen bonds between them. Adenine and thymine are examples of complementary bases which form two hydrogen bonds between them.

“Specifically hybridizable” and “complementary” are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity such that stable and specific binding occurs between the DNA or RNA target and the oligonucleotide.

It is understood that an oligonucleotide need not be 100% complementary to its target nucleic acid sequence to be specifically hybridizable. An oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable when binding of the oligonucleotide to the target interferes with the normal function of the target molecule to cause a loss of utility, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the oligonucleotide to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment or, in the case of in vitro assays, under conditions in which the assays are conducted.

Hybridization of antisense oligonucleotides with mRNA interferes with one or more of the normal functions of mRNA. The functions of mRNA to be interfered with include all vital functions such as, for example, translocation of the RNA to the site of protein translation, translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and catalytic activity which may be engaged in by the RNA. Binding of specific protein(s) to the RNA may also be interfered with by antisense oligonucleotide hybridization to the RNA.

The overall effect of interference with mRNA function is modulation of expression of STAT3. In the context of this invention “modulation” means either inhibition or stimulation; i.e., either a decrease or increase in expression. This modulation can be measured in ways which are routine in the art, for example by Northern blot assay of mRNA expression, or reverse transcriptase PCR, as taught in the examples of the instant application or by Western blot or ELISA assay of protein expression, or by an immunoprecipitation assay of protein expression. Effects on cell proliferation or tumor cell growth can also be measured, as taught in the examples of the instant application. Inhibition is presently preferred.

In addition to the well known antisense effects of oligonucleotides, it has also been found that oligonucleotide analogs having at least one phosphorothioate bond can induce stimulation of a local immune response. This is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,153 which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. This immunostimulatory effect does not appear to be related to any antisense effect which these oligonucleotide analogs may or may not possess. These oligonucleotide analogs are useful as immunopotentiators, either alone or in combination with other therapeutic modalities, such as drugs, particularly antiinfective and anticancer drugs, and surgical procedures to increase efficacy. In addition, the antiinfective and anticancer effects already possessed by certain antisense oligonucleotide analogs are enhanced through such immune stimulation.

It has also been found that oligonucleotide analogs having at least one phosphorothioate bond can be used to induce stimulation of a systemic or humoral immune response. Thus, these oligonucleotides are also useful as immunopotentiators of an antibody response, either alone or in combination with other therapeutic modalities. U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,153.

It is presently believed, therefore, that, in addition to the antisense effects of oligonucleotides targeted to STAT3, oligonucleotides containing at least one phosphorothioate backbone linkage may be useful in eliciting an immune response which may add to the antitumor “bystander effect” already observed with dominant negative inhibitors of STAT3 signaling. Niu et al., Cancer Res., 1999, 59, 5059-5063. This effect is believed to be related to tumor infiltration by acute and chronic inflammatory cells which may participate in killing of residual tumor cells. Thus the therapeutic effects of antisense oligonucleotides targeted to STAT3 may be potentiated by the immunostimulatory properties of the oligonucleotides themselves. Alternatively, oligonucleotides which may not be targeted to STAT3 but which contain at least one phosphorothioate backbone linkage may be used as adjuvants in combination with antisense or other inhibitors of STAT3.

The oligonucleotides of this invention can be used in diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylaxis, and as research reagents and in kits. Since the oligonucleotides of this invention hybridize to nucleic acids encoding STAT3, sandwich, colorimetric and other assays can easily be constructed to exploit this fact. Provision of means for detecting hybridization of oligonucleotide with the STAT3 gene or mRNA can routinely be accomplished. Such provision may include enzyme conjugation, radiolabelling or any other suitable detection systems. Kits for detecting the presence or absence of STAT3 may also be prepared.

The present invention is also suitable for diagnosing abnormal inflammatory states or certain cancers in tissue or other samples from patients suspected of having an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancers such as breast, brain, or head and neck cancer, melanomas, myelomas, leukemias and lymphomas. A number of assays may be formulated employing the present invention, which assays will commonly comprise contacting a tissue sample with an oligonucleotide of the invention under conditions selected to permit detection and, usually, quantitation of such inhibition. In the context of this invention, to “contact” tissues or cells with an oligonucleotide or oligonucleotides means to add the oligonucleotide(s), usually in a liquid carrier, to a cell suspension or tissue sample, either in vitro or ex vivo, or to administer the oligonucleotide(s) to cells or tissues within an animal.

The oligonucleotides of this invention may also be used for research purposes. Thus, the specific hybridization exhibited by the oligonucleotides may be used for assays, purifications, cellular product preparations and in other methodologies which may be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

In the context of this invention, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent intersugar (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced binding to target and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

The antisense compounds in accordance with this invention preferably comprise from about 5 to about 50 nucleobases. Particularly preferred are antisense oligonucleotides comprising from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases (i.e. from about 8 to about 30 linked nucleosides). As is known in the art, a nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base. The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to either the 2=, 3= or 5=hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. In turn the respective ends of this linear polymeric structure can be further joined to form a circular structure, however, open linear structures are generally preferred. Within the oligonucleotide structure, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal linkage or backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3= to 5=phosphodiester linkage.

While the preferred form of antisense compound is a single-stranded antisense oligonucleotide, in many species the introduction of double-stranded structures, such as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, has been shown to induce potent and specific antisense-mediated reduction of the function of a gene or its associated gene products. This phenomenon occurs in both plants and animals and is believed to have an evolutionary connection to viral defense and transposon silencing.

The first evidence that dsRNA could lead to gene silencing in animals came in 1995 from work in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (Guo and Kempheus, Cell, 1995, 81, 611-620). Montgomery et al. have shown that the primary interference effects of dsRNA are posttranscriptional (Montgomery et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95, 15502-15507). The posttranscriptional antisense mechanism defined in Caenorhabditis elegans resulting from exposure to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has since been designated RNA interference (RNAi). This term has been generalized to mean antisense-mediated gene silencing involving the introduction of dsRNA leading to the sequence-specific reduction of endogenous targeted mRNA levels (Fire et al., Nature, 1998, 391, 806-811). Recently, it has been shown that it is, in fact, the single-stranded RNA oligomers of antisense polarity of the dsRNAs which are the potent inducers of RNAi (Tijsterman et al., Science, 2002, 295, 694-697). The use of these double stranded RNA molecules (short interfering RNA or siRNA) for targeting and inhibiting the expression of STAT3 mRNA is also contemplated. These double stranded RNA molecules target regions similar to those targeted by antisense oligocleotides and have similar effects. These double stranded RNA molecules are generally 19-21 base pairs in length, but may range between 8 and 50 nucleobases. The production of siRNA molecules is described in a general sense in the examples provided below, but it will be appreciated that any desired siRNA targeted to STAT3 may be synthesized by conventional oligonucleotide synthesis techniques. Once the sequence of the antisense strand is known, the complementary sense strand is synthesized based on base pairing. The sense and antisense strands are then combined to form the siRNA.

Oligomer and Monomer Modifications

As is known in the art, a nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base. The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to either the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. In turn, the respective ends of this linear polymeric compound can be further joined to form a circular compound, however, linear compounds are generally preferred. In addition, linear compounds may have internal nucleobase complementarity and may therefore fold in a manner as to produce a fully or partially double-stranded compound. Within oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside linkage or in conjunction with the sugar ring the backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal internucleoside linkage that makes up the backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage.

Modified Internucleoside Linkages

Specific examples of preferred antisense oligomeric compounds useful in this invention include oligonucleotides containing modified e.g. non-naturally occurring internucleoside linkages. As defined in this specification, oligonucleotides having modified internucleoside linkages include internucleoside linkages that retain a phosphorus atom and internucleoside linkages that do not have a phosphorus atom. For the purposes of this specification, and as sometimes referenced in the art, modified oligonucleotides that do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone can also be considered to be oligonucleosides.

In the C. elegans system, modification of the internucleotide linkage (phosphorothioate) did not significantly interfere with RNAi activity. Based on this observation, it is suggested that certain preferred oligomeric compounds of the invention can also have one or more modified internucleoside linkages. A preferred phosphorus containing modified internucleoside linkage is the phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones containing a phosphorus atom therein include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkylphosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3′-alkylene phosphonates, 5′-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, selenophosphates and boranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein one or more internucleotide linkages is a 3′ to 3′, 5′ to 5′ or 2′ to 2′ linkage. Preferred oligonucleotides having inverted polarity comprise a single 3′ to 3′ linkage at the 3′-most internucleotide linkage i.e. a single inverted nucleoside residue which may be abasic (the nucleobase is missing or has a hydroxyl group in place thereof). Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above phosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,196; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,306; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; 5,194,599; 5,565,555; 5,527,899; 5,721,218; 5,672,697 and 5,625,050, certain of which are commonly owned with this application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

In more preferred embodiments of the invention, oligomeric compounds have one or more phosphorothioate and/or heteroatom internucleoside linkages, in particular —CH₂—NH—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—O—CH₂— [known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone], —CH₂—O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—N(CH₃)—CH₂— and —O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂— [wherein the native phosphodiester internucleotide linkage is represented as —O—P(═O)(OH)—O—CH₂—]. The MMI type internucleoside linkages are disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677. Preferred amide internucleoside linkages are disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; riboacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH₂ component parts.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above oligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,264,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,610,289; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; 5,792,608; 5,646,269 and 5,677,439, certain of which are commonly owned with this application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Oligomer Mimetics

Another preferred group of oligomeric compounds amenable to the present invention includes oligonucleotide mimetics. The term mimetic as it is applied to oligonucleotides is intended to include oligomeric compounds wherein only the furanose ring or both the furanose ring and the internucleotide linkage are replaced with novel groups, replacement of only the furanose ring is also referred to in the art as being a sugar surrogate. The heterocyclic base moiety or a modified heterocyclic base moiety is maintained for hybridization with an appropriate target nucleic acid. One such oligomeric compound, an oligonucleotide mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA oligomeric compounds, the sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA oligomeric compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA oligomeric compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

One oligonucleotide mimetic that has been reported to have excellent hybridization properties is peptide nucleic acids (PNA). The backbone in PNA compounds is two or more linked aminoethylglycine units which gives PNA an amide containing backbone. The heterocyclic base moieties are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

PNA has been modified to incorporate numerous modifications since the basic PNA structure was first prepared. The basic structure is shown below:

wherein

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T₄ is hydrogen, an amino protecting group, —C(O)R₅, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, a chemical functional group, a reporter group, a conjugate group, a D or L α-amino acid linked via the α-carboxyl group or optionally through the ω-carboxyl group when the amino acid is aspartic acid or glutamic acid or a peptide derived from D, L or mixed D and L amino acids linked through a carboxyl group, wherein the substituent groups are selected from hydroxyl, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, benzyl, phenyl, nitro, thiol, thioalkoxy, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl;

T₅ is —OH, —N(Z₁)Z₂, R₅, D or L α-amino acid linked via the α-amino group or optionally through the ω-amino group when the amino acid is lysine or ornithine or a peptide derived from D, L or mixed D and L amino acids linked through an amino group, a chemical functional group, a reporter group or a conjugate group;

Z₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, or an amino protecting group;

Z₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, an amino protecting group, —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(n)-J-Z₃, a D or L α-amino acid linked via the α-carboxyl group or optionally through the ω-carboxyl group when the amino acid is aspartic acid or glutamic acid or a peptide derived from D, L or mixed D and L amino acids linked through a carboxyl group;

Z₃ is hydrogen, an amino protecting group, —C₁-C₆ alkyl, —C(═O)—CH₃, benzyl, benzoyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)—N(H)Z₁;

each J is O, S or NH;

R₅ is a carbonyl protecting group; and

n is from 2 to about 50.

Another class of oligonucleotide mimetic that has been studied is based on linked morpholino units (morpholino nucleic acid) having heterocyclic bases attached to the morpholino ring. A number of linking groups have been reported that link the morpholino monomeric units in a morpholino nucleic acid. A preferred class of linking groups have been selected to give a non-ionic oligomeric compound. The non-ionic morpholino-based oligomeric compounds are less likely to have undesired interactions with cellular proteins. Morpholino-based oligomeric compounds are non-ionic mimics of oligonucleotides which are less likely to form undesired interactions with cellular proteins (Dwaine A. Braasch and David R. Corey, Biochemistry, 2002, 41(14), 4503-4510). Morpholino-based oligomeric compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506, issued Jul. 23, 1991. The morpholino class of oligomeric compounds have been prepared having a variety of different linking groups joining the monomeric subunits.

Morpholino nucleic acids have been prepared having a variety of different linking groups (L₂) joining the monomeric subunits. The basic formula is shown below:

wherein

T₁ is hydroxyl or a protected hydroxyl;

T₅ is hydrogen or a phosphate or phosphate derivative;

L₂ is a linking group; and

n is from 2 to about 50.

A further class of oligonucleotide mimetic is referred to as cyclohexenyl nucleic acids (CeNA). The furanose ring normally present in an DNA/RNA molecule is replaced with a cyclohenyl ring. CeNA DMT protected phosphoramidite monomers have been prepared and used for oligomeric compound synthesis following classical phosphoramidite chemistry. Fully modified CeNA oligomeric compounds and oligonucleotides having specific positions modified with CeNA have been prepared and studied (see Wang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2000, 122, 8595-8602). In general the incorporation of CeNA monomers into a DNA chain increases its stability of a DNA/RNA hybrid. CeNA oligoadenylates formed complexes with RNA and DNA complements with similar stability to the native complexes. The study of incorporating CeNA structures into natural nucleic acid structures was shown by NMR and circular dichroism to proceed with easy conformational adaptation. Furthermore the incorporation of CeNA into a sequence targeting RNA was stable to serum and able to activate E. Coli RNase resulting in cleavage of the target RNA strand.

The general formula of CeNA is shown below:

wherein

each Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T₁ is hydroxyl or a protected hydroxyl; and

T2 is hydroxyl or a protected hydroxyl.

Another class of oligonucleotide mimetic (anhydrohexitol nucleic acid) can be prepared from one or more anhydrohexitol nucleosides (see, Wouters and Herdewijn, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1999, 9, 1563-1566) and would have the general formula:

A further preferred modification includes Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) in which the 2′-hydroxyl group is linked to the 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring thereby forming a 2′-C,4′-C-oxymethylene linkage thereby forming a bicyclic sugar moiety. The linkage is preferably a methylene (—CH₂—)_(n) group bridging the 2′ oxygen atom and the 4′ carbon atom wherein n is 1 or 2 (Singh et al., Chem. Commun., 1998, 4, 455-456). LNA and LNA analogs display very high duplex thermal stabilities with complementary DNA and RNA (Tm=+3 to +10 C.), stability towards 3′-exonucleolytic degradation and good solubility properties. The basic structure of LNA showing the bicyclic ring system is shown below:

The conformations of LNAs determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy have shown that the locked orientation of the LNA nucleotides, both in single-stranded LNA and in duplexes, constrains the phosphate backbone in such a way as to introduce a higher population of the N-type conformation (Petersen et al., J. Mol. Recognit., 2000, 13, 44-53). These conformations are associated with improved stacking of the nucleobases (Wengel et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides, 1999, 18, 1365-1370).

LNA has been shown to form exceedingly stable LNA:LNA duplexes (Koshkin et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 13252-13253). LNA:LNA hybridization was shown to be the most thermally stable nucleic acid type duplex system, and the RNA-mimicking character of LNA was established at the duplex level. Introduction of 3 LNA monomers (T or A) significantly increased melting points (Tm=+15/+11) toward DNA complements. The universality of LNA-mediated hybridization has been stressed by the formation of exceedingly stable LNA:LNA duplexes. The RNA-mimicking of LNA was reflected with regard to the N-type conformational restriction of the monomers and to the secondary structure of the LNA:RNA duplex.

LNAs also form duplexes with complementary DNA, RNA or LNA with high thermal affinities. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra show that duplexes involving fully modified LNA (esp. LNA:RNA) structurally resemble an A-form RNA:RNA duplex. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) examination of an LNA:DNA duplex confirmed the 3′-endo conformation of an LNA monomer. Recognition of double-stranded DNA has also been demonstrated suggesting strand invasion by LNA. Studies of mismatched sequences show that LNAs obey the Watson-Crick base pairing rules with generally improved selectivity compared to the corresponding unmodified reference strands.

Novel types of LNA-oligomeric compounds, as well as the LNAs, are useful in a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Among these are antisense applications, PCR applications, strand-displacement oligomers, substrates for nucleic acid polymerases and generally as nucleotide based drugs. Potent and nontoxic antisense oligonucleotides containing LNAs have been described (Wahlestedt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2000, 97, 5633-5638.) The authors have demonstrated that LNAs confer several desired properties to antisense agents. LNA/DNA copolymers were not degraded readily in blood serum and cell extracts. LNA/DNA copolymers exhibited potent antisense activity in assay systems as disparate as G-protein-coupled receptor signaling in living rat brain and detection of reporter genes in Escherichia coli. Lipofectin-mediated efficient delivery of LNA into living human breast cancer cells has also been accomplished.

The synthesis and preparation of the LNA monomers adenine, cytosine, guanine, 5-methyl-cytosine, thymine and uracil, along with their oligomerization, and nucleic acid recognition properties have been described (Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 3607-3630). LNAs and preparation thereof are also described in WO 98/39352 and WO 99/14226.

The first analogs of LNA, phosphorothioate-LNA and 2′-thio-LNAs, have also been prepared (Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222). Preparation of locked nucleoside analogs containing oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases has also been described (Wengel et al., PCT International Application WO 98-DK393 19980914). Furthermore, synthesis of 2′-amino-LNA, a novel conformationally restricted high-affinity oligonucleotide analog with a handle has been described in the art (Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039). In addition, 2′-Amino- and 2′-methylamino-LNA's have been prepared and the thermal stability of their duplexes with complementary RNA and DNA strands has been previously reported.

Further oligonucleotide mimetics have been prepared to include bicyclic and tricyclic nucleoside analogs having the formulas (amidite monomers shown):

(see Steffens et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1997, 80, 2426-2439; Steffens et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1999, 121, 3249-3255; and Renneberg et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 5993-6002). These modified nucleoside analogs have been oligomerized using the phosphoramidite approach and the resulting oligomeric compounds containing tricyclic nucleoside analogs have shown increased thermal stabilities (Tm's) when hybridized to DNA, RNA and itself. Oligomeric compounds containing bicyclic nucleoside analogs have shown thermal stabilities approaching that of DNA duplexes.

Another class of oligonucleotide mimetic is referred to as phosphonomonoester nucleic acids incorporate a phosphorus group in a backbone the backbone. This class of olignucleotide mimetic is reported to have useful physical and biological and pharmacological properties in the areas of inhibiting gene expression (antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, sense oligonucleotides and triplex-forming oligonucleotides), as probes for the detection of nucleic acids and as auxiliaries for use in molecular biology.

The general formula (for definitions of Markush variables see: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,874,553 and 6,127,346 herein incorporated by reference in their entirety) is shown below.

Another oligonucleotide mimetic has been reported wherein the furanosyl ring has been replaced by a cyclobutyl moiety.

Modified Sugars

Oligomeric compounds of the invention may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties. Preferred oligomeric compounds comprise a sugar substituent group selected from: OH; F; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; O-, S- or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C₁ to C₁₀ alkyl or C₂ to C₁₀ alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly preferred are O[(CH₂)_(n)O]_(m)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)OCH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)ONH₂, and O(CH₂)_(n)ON[(CH₂)_(n)CH₃]₂, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other preferred oligonucleotides comprise a sugar substituent group selected from: C₁ to C₁₀ lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH₃, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, SOCH₃, SO₂CH₃, ONO₂, NO₂, N₃, NH₂, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having similar properties. A preferred modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy (2′-O—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504) i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further preferred modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., a O(CH₂)₂ON(CH₃)₂ group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, as described in examples hereinbelow, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethyl-amino-ethoxy-ethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—CH₂—O—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂.

Other preferred sugar substituent groups include methoxy (—O—CH₃), aminopropoxy (—OCH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂), allyl (—CH₂—CH═CH₂), —O-allyl (—O—CH₂—CH═CH₂) and fluoro (F). 2′-Sugar substituent groups may be in the arabino (up) position or ribo (down) position. A preferred 2′-arabino modification is 2′-F. Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligomeric compound, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleoside or in 2′-5′ linked oligonucleotides and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. Oligomeric compounds may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; 5,792,747; and 5,700,920, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Further representative sugar substituent groups include groups of formula I_(a) or II_(a):

wherein:

R_(b) is O, S or NH;

R_(d) is a single bond, O, S or C(═O);

R_(e) is C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, N(R_(k))(R_(m)), N(R_(k))(R_(n)), N═C(R_(p))(R_(q)), N═C(R_(p))(R_(r)) or has formula III_(a);

R_(p) and R_(q) are each independently hydrogen or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;

R_(r) is —R_(x)-R_(y);

each R_(s), R_(t), R_(u) and R_(v) is, independently, hydrogen, C(O)R_(w), substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, a chemical functional group or a conjugate group, wherein the substituent groups are selected from hydroxyl, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, benzyl, phenyl, nitro, thiol, thioalkoxy, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl;

or optionally, R_(u) and R_(v), together form a phthalimido moiety with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached;

each R_(w) is, independently, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanoethyloxy, methoxy, ethoxy, t-butoxy, allyloxy, 9-fluorenylmethoxy, 2-(trimethylsilyl)-ethoxy, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxy, benzyloxy, butyryl, iso-butyryl, phenyl or aryl;

R_(k) is hydrogen, a nitrogen protecting group or —R_(x)-R_(y);

R_(p) is hydrogen, a nitrogen protecting group or —R_(x)-R_(y);

R_(x) is a bond or a linking moiety;

R_(y) is a chemical functional group, a conjugate group or a solid support medium;

each R_(m) and R_(n) is, independently, H, a nitrogen protecting group, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, wherein the substituent groups are selected from hydroxyl, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, benzyl, phenyl, nitro, thiol, thioalkoxy, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl; NH₃ ⁺, N(R_(u))(R_(v)), guanidino and acyl where said acyl is an acid amide or an ester;

or R_(m) and R_(n), together, are a nitrogen protecting group, are joined in a ring structure that optionally includes an additional heteroatom selected from N and O or are a chemical functional group;

R_(i) is OR_(z), SR_(z), or N(R_(z))₂;

each R_(z) is, independently, H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C(═NH)N(H)R_(u), C(═O)N(H)R_(u) or OC(═O)N(H)R_(u);

R_(f), R_(g) and R_(h) comprise a ring system having from about 4 to about 7 carbon atoms or having from about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms and 1 or 2 heteroatoms wherein said heteroatoms are selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur and wherein said ring system is aliphatic, unsaturated aliphatic, aromatic, or saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic;

R_(j) is alkyl or haloalkyl having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, alkynyl having 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, aryl having 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, N(R_(k))(R_(m)) OR_(k), halo, SR_(k) or CN;

m_(a) is 1 to about 10;

each mb is, independently, 0 or 1;

mc is 0 or an integer from 1 to 10;

md is an integer from 1 to 10;

me is from 0, 1 or 2; and

provided that when mc is 0, md is greater than 1.

Representative substituents groups of Formula I are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/130,973, filed Aug. 7, 1998, entitled “Capped 2′-Oxyethoxy Oligonucleotides,” hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Representative cyclic substituent groups of Formula II are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/123,108, filed Jul. 27, 1998, entitled “RNA Targeted 2′-Oligomeric compounds that are Conformationally Preorganized,” hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Particularly preferred sugar substituent groups include O[(CH₂)_(n)O]_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)OCH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)ONH₂, and O(CH₂)_(n)ON[(CH₂)nCH₃)]₂, where n and m are from 1 to about 10.

Representative guanidino substituent groups that are shown in formula III and IV are disclosed in co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/349,040, entitled “Functionalized Oligomers”, filed Jul. 7, 1999, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Representative acetamido substituent groups are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,200 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Representative dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl substituent groups are disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US99/17895, entitled “2′-O-Dimethylaminoethyloxy-ethyl-Oligomeric compounds”, filed Aug. 6, 1999, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Modified Nucleobases/Naturally Occurring Nucleobases

Oligomeric compounds may also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art simply as “base” or “heterocyclic base moiety”) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases also referred herein as heterocyclic base moieties include other synthetic and natural nucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C≡C—CH3) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine.

Heterocyclic base moieties may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Further nucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, J. I., ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, those disclosed by Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30, 613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, Antisense Research and Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., ed., CRC Press, 1993. Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the oligomeric compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278) and are presently preferred base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications.

In one aspect of the present invention oligomeric compounds are prepared having polycyclic heterocyclic compounds in place of one or more heterocyclic base moieties. A number of tricyclic heterocyclic compounds have been previously reported. These compounds are routinely used in antisense applications to increase the binding properties of the modified strand to a target strand. The most studied modifications are targeted to guanosines hence they have been termed G-clamps or cytidine analogs. Many of these polycyclic heterocyclic compounds have the general formula:

Representative cytosine analogs that make 3 hydrogen bonds with a guanosine in a second strand include 1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one (R₁₀=O, R₁₁-R₁₄═H) [Kurchavov, et al., Nucleosides and Nucleotides, 1997, 16, 1837-1846], 1,3-diazaphenothiazine-2-one (R₁₀═S, R₁₁-R₁₄=H), [Lin, K.-Y.; Jones, R. J.; Matteucci, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 3873-3874] and 6,7,8,9-tetrafluoro-1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one (R₁₀═O, R₁₁-R₁₄=F) [Wang, J.; Lin, K.-Y., Matteucci, M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 8385-8388]. Incorporated into oligonucleotides these base modifications were shown to hybridize with complementary guanine and the latter was also shown to hybridize with adenine and to enhance helical thermal stability by extended stacking interactions (also see U.S. patent application entitled “Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids” filed May 24, 2002, Ser. No. 10/155,920; and U.S. patent application entitled “Nuclease Resistant Chimeric Oligonucleotides” filed May 24, 2002, Ser. No. 10/013,295, both of which are commonly owned with this application and are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety).

Further helix-stabilizing properties have been observed when a cytosine analog/substitute has an aminoethoxy moiety attached to the rigid 1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one scaffold (R₁₀═O, R_(n)═—O—(CH₂)₂—NH₂, R₁₂₋₁₄═H) [Lin, K.-Y.; Matteucci, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 8531-8532]. Binding studies demonstrated that a single incorporation could enhance the binding affinity of a model oligonucleotide to its complementary target DNA or RNA with a ΔT_(m) of up to 18° relative to 5-methyl cytosine (dC5_(me)), which is the highest known affinity enhancement for a single modification, yet. On the other hand, the gain in helical stability does not compromise the specificity of the oligonucleotides. The T_(m) data indicate an even greater discrimination between the perfect match and mismatched sequences compared to dC5^(me). It was suggested that the tethered amino group serves as an additional hydrogen bond donor to interact with the Hoogsteen face, namely the O6, of a complementary guanine thereby forming 4 hydrogen bonds. This means that the increased affinity of G-clamp is mediated by the combination of extended base stacking and additional specific hydrogen bonding.

Further tricyclic heterocyclic compounds and methods of using them that are amenable to the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,183, which issued on May 22, 2000, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,992, which issued on Dec. 28, 1999, the contents of both are commonly assigned with this application and are incorporated herein in their entirety.

The enhanced binding affinity of the phenoxazine derivatives together with their uncompromised sequence specificity makes them valuable nucleobase analogs for the development of more potent antisense-based drugs. In fact, promising data have been derived from in vitro experiments demonstrating that heptanucleotides containing phenoxazine substitutions are capable to activate RNaseH, enhance cellular uptake and exhibit an increased antisense activity [Lin, K-Y; Matteucci, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 8531-8532]. The activity enhancement was even more pronounced in case of G-clamp, as a single substitution was shown to significantly improve the in vitro potency of a 20mer 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate oligonucleotides [Flanagan, W. M.; Wolf, J. J.; Olson, P.; Grant, D.; Lin, K.-Y.; Wagner, R. W.; Matteucci, M. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1999, 96, 3513-3518]. Nevertheless, to optimize oligonucleotide design and to better understand the impact of these heterocyclic modifications on the biological activity, it is important to evaluate their effect on the nuclease stability of the oligomers.

Further modified polycyclic heterocyclic compounds useful as heterocycicic bases are disclosed in but not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,302; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,434,257; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; 5,645,985; 5,646,269; 5,750,692; 5,830,653; 5,763,588; 6,005,096; and 5,681,941, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/996,292 filed Nov. 28, 2001, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

The oligonucleotides of the present invention also include variants in which a different base is present at one or more of the nucleotide positions in the oligonucleotide. For example, if the first nucleotide is an adenosine, variants may be produced which contain thymidine, guanosine or cytidine at this position. This may be done at any of the positions of the oligonucleotide. Thus, a 20-mer may comprise 60 variations (20 positions×3 alternates at each position) in which the original nucleotide is substituted with any of the three alternate nucleotides. These oligonucleotides are then tested using the methods described herein to determine their ability to inhibit expression of HCV mRNA and/or HCV replication.

Conjugates

A further preferred substitution that can be appended to the oligomeric compounds of the invention involves the linkage of one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the resulting oligomeric compounds. In one embodiment such modified oligomeric compounds are prepared by covalently attaching conjugate groups to functional groups such as hydroxyl or amino groups. Conjugate groups of the invention include intercalators, reporter molecules, polyamines, polyamides, polyethylene glycols, polyethers, groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties of oligomers, and groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of oligomers. Typical conjugates groups include cholesterols, lipids, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthra-quinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. Groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve oligomer uptake, enhance oligomer resistance to degradation, and/or strengthen sequence-specific hybridization with RNA. Groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve oligomer uptake, distribution, metabolism or excretion. Representative conjugate groups are disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US92/09196, filed Oct. 23, 1992 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Conjugate moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86, 6553-6556), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1994, 4, 1053-1060), a thioether, e.g., hexyl-5-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660, 306-309; Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3, 2765-2770), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20, 533-538), an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J., 1991, 10, 1111-1118; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259, 327-330; Svinarchuk et al., Biochimie, 1993, 75, 49-54), a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990, 18, 3777-3783), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14, 969-973), or adamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264, 229-237), or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1996, 277, 923-937.

The oligomeric compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to active drug substances, for example, aspirin, warfarin, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, suprofen, fenbufen, ketoprofen, (S)-(+)-pranoprofen, carprofen, dansylsarcosine, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, flufenamic acid, folinic acid, a benzothiadiazide, chlorothiazide, a diazepine, indomethicin, a barbiturate, a cephalosporin, a sulfa drug, an antidiabetic, an antibacterial or an antibiotic. Oligonucleotide-drug conjugates and their preparation are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/334,130 (filed Jun. 15, 1999) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such oligonucleotide conjugates include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731; 5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077; 5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735; 4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335; 4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536; 5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203, 5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810; 5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923; 5,599,928 and 5,688,941, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Chimeric Oligomeric Compounds

It is not necessary for all positions in an oligomeric compound to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single oligomeric compound or even at a single monomeric subunit such as a nucleoside within a oligomeric compound. The present invention also includes oligomeric compounds which are chimeric oligomeric compounds. “Chimeric” oligomeric compounds or “chimeras,” in the context of this invention, are oligomeric compounds that contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of a nucleic acid based oligomer.

Chimeric oligomeric compounds typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional region of the oligomeric compound may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter oligomeric compounds when chimeras are used, compared to for example phosphorothioate deoxyoligonucleotides hybridizing to the same target region. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

Chimeric oligomeric compounds of the invention may be formed as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, oligonucleotide analogs, oligonucleosides and/or oligonucleotide mimetics as described above. Such oligomeric compounds have also been referred to in the art as hybrids hemimers, gapmers or inverted gapmers. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such hybrid structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,830; 5,149,797; 5,220,007; 5,256,775; 5,366,878; 5,403,711; 5,491,133; 5,565,350; 5,623,065; 5,652,355; 5,652,356; and 5,700,922, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

3′-endo Modifications

In one aspect of the present invention oligomeric compounds include nucleosides synthetically modified to induce a 3′-endo sugar conformation. A nucleoside can incorporate synthetic modifications of the heterocyclic base, the sugar moiety or both to induce a desired 3′-endo sugar conformation. These modified nucleosides are used to mimic RNA like nucleosides so that particular properties of an oligomeric compound can be enhanced while maintaining the desirable 3′-endo conformational geometry. There is an apparent preference for an RNA type duplex (A form helix, predominantly 3′-endo) as a requirement (e.g. trigger) of RNA interference which is supported in part by the fact that duplexes composed of 2′-deoxy-2′-F-nucleosides appears efficient in triggering RNAi response in the C. elegans system. Properties that are enhanced by using more stable 3′-endo nucleosides include but aren't limited to modulation of pharmacokinetic properties through modification of protein binding, protein off-rate, absorption and clearance; modulation of nuclease stability as well as chemical stability; modulation of the binding affinity and specificity of the oligomer (affinity and specificity for enzymes as well as for complementary sequences); and increasing efficacy of RNA cleavage. The present invention provides oligomeric triggers of RNAi having one or more nucleosides modified in such a way as to favor a C3′-endo type conformation.

Nucleoside conformation is influenced by various factors including substitution at the 2′, 3′ or 4′-positions of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Electronegative substituents generally prefer the axial positions, while sterically demanding substituents generally prefer the equatorial positions (Principles of Nucleic Acid Structure, Wolfgang Sanger, 1984, Springer-Verlag.) Modification of the 2′ position to favor the 3′-endo conformation can be achieved while maintaining the 2′-OH as a recognition element, as illustrated in FIG. 2, below (Gallo et al., Tetrahedron (2001), 57, 5707-5713. Harry-O′kuru et al., J. Org. Chem., (1997), 62(6), 1754-1759 and Tang et al., J. Org. Chem. (1999), 64, 747-754.) Alternatively, preference for the 3′-endo conformation can be achieved by deletion of the 2′-OH as exemplified by 2′ deoxy-2′F-nucleosides (Kawasaki et al., J. Med. Chem. (1993), 36, 831-841), which adopts the 3′-endo conformation positioning the electronegative fluorine atom in the axial position. Other modifications of the ribose ring, for example substitution at the 4′-position to give 4′-F modified nucleosides (Guillerm et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters (1995), 5, 1455-1460 and Owen et al., J. Org. Chem. (1976), 41, 3010-3017), or for example modification to yield methanocarba nucleoside analogs (Jacobson et al., J. Med. Chem. Lett. (2000), 43, 2196-2203 and Lee et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2001), 11, 1333-1337) also induce preference for the 3′-endo conformation. Along similar lines, oligomeric triggers of RNAi response might be composed of one or more nucleosides modified in such a way that conformation is locked into a C3′-endo type conformation, i.e. Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA, Singh et al, Chem. Commun. (1998), 4, 455-456), and ethylene bridged Nucleic Acids (ENA, Morita et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2002), 12, 73-76.) Examples of modified nucleosides amenable to the present invention are shown below in Table I. These examples are meant to be representative and not exhaustive.

TABLE I

The preferred conformation of modified nucleosides and their oligomers can be estimated by various methods such as molecular dynamics calculations, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and CD measurements. Hence, modifications predicted to induce RNA like conformations, A-form duplex geometry in an oligomeric context, are selected for use in the modified oligoncleotides of the present invention. The synthesis of numerous of the modified nucleosides amenable to the present invention are known in the art (see for example, Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides Vol 1-3, ed. Leroy B. Townsend, 1988, Plenum press., and the examples section below.) Nucleosides known to be inhibitors/substrates for RNA dependent RNA polymerases (for example HCV NS5B

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to oligonucleotides that are prepared having enhanced properties compared to native RNA against nucleic acid targets. A target is identified and an oligonucleotide is selected having an effective length and sequence that is complementary to a portion of the target sequence. Each nucleoside of the selected sequence is scrutinized for possible enhancing modifications. A preferred modification would be the replacement of one or more RNA nucleosides with nucleosides that have the same 3′-endo conformational geometry. Such modifications can enhance chemical and nuclease stability relative to native RNA while at the same time being much cheaper and easier to synthesize and/or incorporate into an oligonulceotide. The selected sequence can be further divided into regions and the nucleosides of each region evaluated for enhancing modifications that can be the result of a chimeric configuration. Consideration is also given to the 5′ and 3′-termini as there are often advantageous modifications that can be made to one or more of the terminal nucleosides. The oligomeric compounds of the present invention include at least one 5′-modified phosphate group on a single strand or on at least one 5′-position of a double stranded sequence or sequences. Further modifications are also considered such as internucleoside linkages, conjugate groups, substitute sugars or bases, substitution of one or more nucleosides with nucleoside mimetics and any other modification that can enhance the selected sequence for its intended target. The terms used to describe the conformational geometry of homoduplex nucleic acids are “A Form” for RNA and “B Form” for DNA. The respective conformational geometry for RNA and DNA duplexes was determined from X-ray diffraction analysis of nucleic acid fibers (Arnott and Hukins, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 1970, 47, 1504.) In general, RNA:RNA duplexes are more stable and have higher melting temperatures (Tm's) than DNA:DNA duplexes (Sanger et al., Principles of Nucleic Acid Structure, 1984, Springer-Verlag; New York, N.Y.; Lesnik et al., Biochemistry, 1995, 34, 10807-10815; Conte et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1997, 25, 2627-2634). The increased stability of RNA has been attributed to several structural features, most notably the improved base stacking interactions that result from an A-form geometry (Searle et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1993, 21, 2051-2056). The presence of the 2′ hydroxyl in RNA biases the sugar toward a C3′ endo pucker, i.e., also designated as Northern pucker, which causes the duplex to favor the A-form geometry. In addition, the 2′ hydroxyl groups of RNA can form a network of water mediated hydrogen bonds that help stabilize the RNA duplex (Egli et al., Biochemistry, 1996, 35, 8489-8494). On the other hand, deoxy nucleic acids prefer a C2′ endo sugar pucker, i.e., also known as Southern pucker, which is thought to impart a less stable B-form geometry (Sanger, W. (1984) Principles of Nucleic Acid Structure, Springer-Verlag, New York, N.Y.). As used herein, B-form geometry is inclusive of both C2′-endo pucker and O4′-endo pucker. This is consistent with Berger, et. al., Nucleic Acids Research, 1998, 26, 2473-2480, who pointed out that in considering the furanose conformations which give rise to B-form duplexes consideration should also be given to a O4′-endo pucker contribution.

DNA:RNA hybrid duplexes, however, are usually less stable than pure RNA:RNA duplexes, and depending on their sequence may be either more or less stable than DNA:DNA duplexes (Searle et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1993, 21, 2051-2056). The structure of a hybrid duplex is intermediate between A- and B-form geometries, which may result in poor stacking interactions (Lane et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 1993, 215, 297-306; Fedoroff et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1993, 233, 509-523; Gonzalez et al., Biochemistry, 1995, 34, 4969-4982; Horton et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1996, 264, 521-533). The stability of the duplex formed between a target RNA and a synthetic sequence is central to therapies such as but not limited to antisense and RNA interference as these mechanisms require the binding of a synthetic oligonucleotide strand to an RNA target strand. In the case of antisense, effective inhibition of the mRNA requires that the antisense DNA have a very high binding affinity with the mRNA. Otherwise the desired interaction between the synthetic oligonucleotide strand and target mRNA strand will occur infrequently, resulting in decreased efficacy.

One routinely used method of modifying the sugar puckering is the substitution of the sugar at the 2′-position with a substituent group that influences the sugar geometry. The influence on ring conformation is dependant on the nature of the substituent at the 2′-position. A number of different substituents have been studied to determine their sugar puckering effect. For example, 2′-halogens have been studied showing that the 2′-fluoro derivative exhibits the largest population (65%) of the C3′-endo form, and the 2′-iodo exhibits the lowest population (7%). The populations of adenosine (2′-OH) versus deoxyadenosine (2′-H) are 36% and 19%, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of the 2′-fluoro group of adenosine dimers (2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroadenosine-2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-adenosine) is further correlated to the stabilization of the stacked conformation.

As expected, the relative duplex stability can be enhanced by replacement of 2′-OH groups with 2′-F groups thereby increasing the C3′-endo population. It is assumed that the highly polar nature of the 2′-F bond and the extreme preference for C3′-endo puckering may stabilize the stacked conformation in an A-form duplex. Data from UV hypochromicity, circular dichroism, and ¹H NMR also indicate that the degree of stacking decreases as the electronegativity of the halo substituent decreases. Furthermore, steric bulk at the 2′-position of the sugar moiety is better accommodated in an A-form duplex than a B-form duplex. Thus, a 2′-substituent on the 3′-terminus of a dinucleoside monophosphate is thought to exert a number of effects on the stacking conformation: steric repulsion, furanose puckering preference, electrostatic repulsion, hydrophobic attraction, and hydrogen bonding capabilities. These substituent effects are thought to be determined by the molecular size, electronegativity, and hydrophobicity of the substituent. Melting temperatures of complementary strands is also increased with the 2′-substituted adenosine diphosphates. It is not clear whether the 3′-endo preference of the conformation or the presence of the substituent is responsible for the increased binding. However, greater overlap of adjacent bases (stacking) can be achieved with the 3′-endo conformation.

One synthetic 2′-modification that imparts increased nuclease resistance and a very high binding affinity to nucleotides is the 2-methoxyethoxy (2′-MOE, 2′-OCH2CH2OCH3) side chain (Baker et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1997, 272, 11944-12000). One of the immediate advantages of the 2′-MOE substitution is the improvement in binding affinity, which is greater than many similar 2′ modifications such as O-methyl, O-propyl, and O-aminopropyl. Oligonucleotides having the 2′-O-methoxyethyl substituent also have been shown to be antisense inhibitors of gene expression with promising features for in vivo use (Martin, P., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504; Altmann et al., Chimia, 1996, 50, 168-176; Altmann et al., Biochem. Soc. Trans., 1996, 24, 630-637; and Altmann et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides, 1997, 16, 917-926). Relative to DNA, the oligonucleotides having the 2′-MOE modification displayed improved RNA affinity and higher nuclease resistance. Chimeric oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE substituents in the wing nucleosides and an internal region of deoxy-phosphorothioate nucleotides (also termed a gapped oligonucleotide or gapmer) have shown effective reduction in the growth of tumors in animal models at low doses. 2′-MOE substituted oligonucleotides have also shown outstanding promise as antisense agents in several disease states. One such MOE substituted oligonucleotide is presently being investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of CMV retinitis.

Chemistries Defined

Unless otherwise defined herein, alkyl means C₁-C₁₂, preferably C₁-C₈, and more preferably C₁-C₆, straight or (where possible) branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl.

Unless otherwise defined herein, heteroalkyl means C₁-C₁₂, preferably C₁-C₈, and more preferably C₁-C₆, straight or (where possible) branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl containing at least one, and preferably about 1 to about 3, hetero atoms in the chain, including the terminal portion of the chain. Preferred heteroatoms include N, O and S.

Unless otherwise defined herein, cycloalkyl means C₃-C₁₂, preferably C₃-C₈, and more preferably C₃-C₆, aliphatic hydrocarbyl ring.

Unless otherwise defined herein, alkenyl means C₂-C₁₂, preferably C₂-C₈, and more preferably C₂-C₆ alkenyl, which may be straight or (where possible) branched hydrocarbyl moiety, which contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

Unless otherwise defined herein, alkynyl means C₂-C₁₂, preferably C₂-C₈, and more preferably C₂-C₆ alkynyl, which may be straight or (where possible) branched hydrocarbyl moiety, which contains at least one carbon-carbon triple bond.

Unless otherwise defined herein, heterocycloalkyl means a ring moiety containing at least three ring members, at least one of which is carbon, and of which 1, 2 or three ring members are other than carbon. Preferably the number of carbon atoms varies from 1 to about 12, preferably 1 to about 6, and the total number of ring members varies from three to about 15, preferably from about 3 to about 8. Preferred ring heteroatoms are N, O and S. Preferred heterocycloalkyl groups include morpholino, thiomorpholino, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, homopiperidinyl, homopiperazinyl, homomorpholino, homothiomorpholino, pyrrolodinyl, tetrahydrooxazolyl, tetrahydroimidazolyl, tetrahydrothiazolyl, tetrahydroisoxazolyl, tetrahydropyrrazolyl, furanyl, pyranyl, and tetrahydroisothiazolyl.

Unless otherwise defined herein, aryl means any hydrocarbon ring structure containing at least one aryl ring. Preferred aryl rings have about 6 to about 20 ring carbons. Especially preferred aryl rings include phenyl, napthyl, anthracenyl, and phenanthrenyl.

Unless otherwise defined herein, hetaryl means a ring moiety containing at least one fully unsaturated ring, the ring consisting of carbon and non-carbon atoms. Preferably the ring system contains about 1 to about 4 rings. Preferably the number of carbon atoms varies from 1 to about 12, preferably 1 to about 6, and the total number of ring members varies from three to about 15, preferably from about 3 to about 8. Preferred ring heteroatoms are N, O and S. Preferred hetaryl moieties include pyrazolyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, purinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiophenyl, etc.

Unless otherwise defined herein, where a moiety is defined as a compound moiety, such as hetarylalkyl (hetaryl and alkyl), aralkyl (aryl and alkyl), etc., each of the sub-moieties is as defined herein.

Unless otherwise defined herein, an electron withdrawing group is a group, such as the cyano or isocyanato group that draws electronic charge away from the carbon to which it is attached. Other electron withdrawing groups of note include those whose electronegativities exceed that of carbon, for example halogen, nitro, or phenyl substituted in the ortho- or para-position with one or more cyano, isothiocyanato, nitro or halo groups.

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms halogen and halo have their ordinary meanings. Preferred halo (halogen) substituents are Cl, Br, and I.

The aforementioned optional substituents are, unless otherwise herein defined, suitable substituents depending upon desired properties. Included are halogens (Cl, Br, I), alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl moieties, NO₂, NH₃ (substituted and unsubstituted), acid moieties (e.g. —CO₂H, —OSO₃H₂, etc.), heterocycloalkyl moieties, hetaryl moieties, aryl moieties, etc.

In all the preceding formulae, the squiggle (˜) indicates a bond to an oxygen or sulfur of the 5′-phosphate.

Phosphate protecting groups include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,209, U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,621, U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,699, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,475, U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,478, U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,177, U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,437, U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,628 each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The oligonucleotides in accordance with this invention (single stranded or double stranded) preferably comprise from about 8 to about 80 nucleotides, more preferably from about 12-50 nucleotides and most preferably from about 15 to 30 nucleotides. As is known in the art, a nucleotide is a base-sugar combination suitably bound to an adjacent nucleotide through a phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or other covalent linkage.

The oligonucleotides of the present invention also include variants in which a different base is present at one or more of the nucleotide positions in the oligonucleotide. For example, if the first nucleotide is an adenosine, variants may be produced which contain thymidine, guanosine or cytidine at this position. This may be done at any of the positions of the oligonucleotide. Thus, a 20-mer may comprise 60 variations (20 positions×3 alternates at each position) in which the original nucleotide is substituted with any of the three alternate nucleotides. These oligonucleotides are then tested using the methods described herein to determine their ability to inhibit expression of STAT3 mRNA.

The oligonucleotides used in accordance with this invention may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including Applied Biosystems. Any other means for such synthesis may also be employed; the actual synthesis of the oligonucleotides is well within the talents of the routineer. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and 2′-alkoxy or 2′-alkoxyalkoxy derivatives, including 2′-O-methoxyethyl oligonucleotides (Martin, P., Helv. Chim. Acta 1995, 78, 486-504). It is also well known to use similar techniques and commercially available modified amidites and controlled-pore glass (CPG) products such as biotin, fluorescein, acridine or psoralen-modified amidites and/or CPG (available from Glen Research, Sterling, Va.) to synthesize fluorescently labeled, biotinylated or other conjugated oligonucleotides.

The antisense compounds of the present invention include bioequivalent compounds, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs. This is intended to encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other compound which, upon administration to an animal including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the nucleic acids of the invention and prodrugs of such nucleic acids. APharmaceutically acceptable salts@ are physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the nucleic acids of the invention: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto (see, for example, Berge et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. of Pharma Sci. 1977, 66, 1-19).

For oligonucleotides, examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include but are not limited to (a) salts formed with cations such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, polyamines such as spermine and spermidine, etc.; (b) acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids, for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and the like; (c) salts formed with organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, tannic acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, and the like; and (d) salts formed from elemental anions such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The oligonucleotides of the invention may additionally or alternatively be prepared to be delivered in a Aprodrug@ form. The term Aprodrug@ indicates a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive form that is converted to an active form (i.e., drug) within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes or other chemicals and/or conditions. In particular, prodrug versions of the oligonucleotides of the invention are prepared as SATE [(S-acetyl-2-thioethyl)phosphate] derivatives according to the methods disclosed in WO 93/24510 to Gosselin et al., published Dec. 9, 1993.

For therapeutic or prophylactic treatment, oligonucleotides are administered in accordance with this invention. Oligonucleotide compounds of the invention may be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition, which may include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, thickeners, diluents, buffers, preservatives, surface active agents, neutral or cationic lipids, lipid complexes, liposomes, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients and the like in addition to the oligonucleotide. Such compositions and formulations are comprehended by the present invention.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the oligonucleotides of the present invention may include penetration enhancers in order to enhance the alimentary delivery of the oligonucleotides. Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories, i.e., fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, surfactants and non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1991, 8, 91-192; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1990, 7, 1-33). One or more penetration enhancers from one or more of these broad categories may be included.

Various fatty acids and their derivatives which act as penetration enhancers include, for example, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, recinleate, monoolein (a.k.a. 1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin, caprylic acid, arachidonic acid, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, acylcarnitines, acylcholines, mono- and di-glycerides and physiologically acceptable salts thereof (i.e., oleate, laurate, caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, etc.) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1990, 7, 1; El-Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1992 44, 651-654).

The physiological roles of bile include the facilitation of dispersion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (Brunton, Chapter 38 In: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al., eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y., 1996, pages 934-935). Various natural bile salts, and their synthetic derivatives, act as penetration enhancers. Thus, the term “bile salt” includes any of the naturally occurring components of bile as well as any of their synthetic derivatives.

Complex formulations comprising one or more penetration enhancers may be used. For example, bile salts may be used in combination with fatty acids to make complex formulations.

Chelating agents include, but are not limited to, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citric acid, salicylates (e.g., sodium salicylate, 5-methoxysalicylate and homovanilate), N-acyl derivatives of collagen, laureth-9 and N-amino acyl derivatives of beta-diketones (enamines) [Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1990, 7, 1-33; Buur et al., J. Control Rel. 1990, 14, 43-51). Chelating agents have the added advantage of also serving as DNase inhibitors.

Surfactants include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1991, page 92); and perfluorochemical emulsions, such as FC-43 (Takahashi et al., J. Pharm. Phamacol. 1988, 40, 252-257).

Non-surfactants include, for example, unsaturated cyclic ureas, 1-alkyl- and 1-alkenylazacyclo-alkanone derivatives (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 1991, page 92); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone (Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1987, 39, 621-626).

As used herein, “carrier compound” refers to a nucleic acid, or analog thereof, which is inert (i.e., does not possess biological activity per se) but is recognized as a nucleic acid by in vivo processes that reduce the bioavailability of a nucleic acid having biological activity by, for example, degrading the biologically active nucleic acid or promoting its removal from circulation. The coadministration of a nucleic acid and a carrier compound, typically with an excess of the latter substance, can result in a substantial reduction of the amount of nucleic acid recovered in the liver, kidney or other extracirculatory reservoirs, presumably due to competition between the carrier compound and the nucleic acid for a common receptor. In contrast to a carrier compound, a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” (excipient) is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be liquid or solid and is selected with the planned manner of administration in mind so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a nucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition. Typical pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.); fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, gelatin, calcium sulfate, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylates or calcium hydrogen phosphate, etc.); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, metallic stearates, hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, polyethylene glycols, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, etc.); disintegrates (e.g., starch, sodium starch glycolate, etc.); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate, etc.). Sustained release oral delivery systems and/or enteric coatings for orally administered dosage forms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,704,295; 4,556,552; 4,309,406; and 4,309,404.

The compositions of the present invention may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional compatible pharmaceutically-active materials such as, e.g., antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the composition of present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the components of the compositions of the invention.

Regardless of the method by which the oligonucleotides of the invention are introduced into a patient, colloidal dispersion systems may be used as delivery vehicles to enhance the in vivo stability of the oligonucleotides and/or to target the oligonucleotides to a particular organ, tissue or cell type. Colloidal dispersion systems include, but are not limited to, macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, liposomes and lipid:oligonucleotide complexes of uncharacterized structure. A preferred colloidal dispersion system is a plurality of liposomes. Liposomes are microscopic spheres having an aqueous core surrounded by one or more outer layers made up of lipids arranged in a bilayer configuration (see, generally, Chonn et al., Current Op. Biotech. 1995, 6, 698-708).

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic, vaginal, rectal, intranasal, epidermal, and transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous drip, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection, pulmonary administration, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation, or intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular, administration. Oligonucleotides with at least one 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification are believed to be particularly useful for oral administration.

Formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful.

Compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets or tablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable.

Compositions for parenteral administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives. In some cases it may be more effective to treat a patient with an oligonucleotide of the invention in conjunction with other traditional therapeutic modalities in order to increase the efficacy of a treatment regimen. In the context of the invention, the term “treatment regimen” is meant to encompass therapeutic, palliative and prophylactic modalities. For example, a patient may be treated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, particularly those used for tumor and cancer treatment. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include but are not limited to daunorubicin, daunomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, esorubicin, bleomycin, mafosfamide, ifosfamide, cytosine arabinoside, bis-chloroethylnitrosurea, busulfan, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, mithramycin, prednisone, hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, tamoxifen, dacarbazine, procarbazine, hexamethylmelamine, pentamethylmelamine, mitoxantrone, amsacrine, chlorambucil, methylcyclohexylnitrosurea, nitrogen mustards, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine (CA), 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, deoxycoformycin, 4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphoramide, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MTX), colchicine, taxol, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, trimetrexate, teniposide, cisplatin, gemcitabine and diethylstilbestrol (DES). See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed. 1987, pp. 1206-1228, Berkow et al., eds., Rahway, N.J. When used with the compounds of the invention, such chemotherapeutic agents may be used individually (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide), sequentially (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide for a period of time followed by MTX and oligonucleotide), or in combination with one or more other such chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., 5-FU, MTX and oligonucleotide, or 5-FU, radiotherapy and oligonucleotide).

The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration is believed to be within the skill of those in the art. Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides, and can generally be estimated based on EC₅₀s found to be effective in vitro and in in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to 20 years. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can easily estimate repetition rates for dosing based on measured residence times and concentrations of the drug in bodily fluids or tissues. Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years.

The following examples illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the same.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of Oligonucleotides

Unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 380B) using standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation by iodine. β-cyanoethyldiisopropyl-phosphoramidites are purchased from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). For phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, the standard oxidation bottle was replaced by a 0.2 M solution of ³H-1,2-benzodithiole-3-one 1,1-dioxide in acetonitrile for the stepwise thiation of the phosphite linkages. The thiation cycle wait step was increased to 68 seconds and was followed by the capping step. Cytosines may be 5-methyl cytosines. (5-methyl deoxycytidine phosphoramidites available from Glen Research, Sterling, Va. or Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.)

2′-methoxy oligonucleotides are synthesized using 2′-methoxy β-cyanoethyldiisopropyl-phosphoramidites (Chemgenes, Needham, Mass.) and the standard cycle for unmodified oligonucleotides, except the wait step after pulse delivery of tetrazole and base is increased to 360 seconds. Other 2′-alkoxy oligonucleotides are synthesized by a modification of this method, using appropriate 2′-modified amidites such as those available from Glen Research, Inc., Sterling, Va.

2′-fluoro oligonucleotides are synthesized as described in Kawasaki et al. (J. Med. Chem. 1993, 36, 831-841). Briefly, the protected nucleoside N6-benzoyl-2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroadenosine is synthesized utilizing commercially available 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine as starting material and by modifying literature procedures whereby the 2′-a-fluoro atom is introduced by a SN2-displacement of a 2′-β-O-trifyl group. Thus N6-benzoyl-9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine is selectively protected in moderate yield as the 3′,5′-ditetrahydropyranyl (THP) intermediate. Deprotection of the THP and N6-benzoyl groups is accomplished using standard methodologies and standard methods are used to obtain the 5′-dimethoxytrityl-(DMT) and 5′-DMT-3′-phosphoramidite intermediates.

The synthesis of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroguanosine is accomplished using tetraisopropyldisiloxanyl (TPDS) protected 9-13-D-arabinofuranosylguanine as starting material, and conversion to the intermediate diisobutyrylarabinofuranosylguanosine. Deprotection of the TPDS group is followed by protection of the hydroxyl group with THP to give diisobutyryl di-THP protected arabinofuranosylguanine. Selective O-deacylation and triflation is followed by treatment of the crude product with fluoride, then deprotection of the THP groups. Standard methodologies are used to obtain the 5′-DMT- and 5′-DMT-3′-phosphoramidites.

Synthesis of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorouridine is accomplished by the modification of a known procedure in which 2,2′-anhydro-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil is treated with 70% hydrogen fluoride-pyridine. Standard procedures are used to obtain the 5′-DMT and 5′-DMT-3′ phosphoramidites.

2′-deoxy-2′-fluorocytidine is synthesized via amination of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorouridine, followed by selective protection to give N⁴-benzoyl-2′-deoxy-2′-fluorocytidine. Standard procedures are used to obtain the 5′-DMT and 5′-DMT-3′ phosphoramidites.

2′-(2-methoxyethyl)-modified amidites were synthesized according to Martin, P. (Helv. Chim. Acta 1995, 78, 486-506). For ease of synthesis, the last nucleotide may be a deoxynucleotide. 2′-O—CH₂CH₂OCH³⁻cytosines may be 5-methyl cytosines.

Synthesis of 5-Methyl cytosine monomers 2,2′-Anhydro[1-(β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluridine]

5-Methyluridine (ribosylthymine, commercially available through Yamasa, Choshi, Japan) (72.0 g, 0.279 M), diphenylcarbonate (90.0 g, 0.420 M) and sodium bicarbonate (2.0 g, 0.024 M) were added to DMF (300 mL). The mixture was heated to reflux, with stirring, allowing the evolved carbon dioxide gas to be released in a controlled manner. After 1 hour, the slightly darkened solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting syrup was poured into diethylether (2.5 L), with stirring. The product formed a gum. The ether was decanted and the residue was dissolved in a minimum amount of methanol (ca. 400 mL). The solution was poured into fresh ether (2.5 L) to yield a stiff gum. The ether was decanted and the gum was dried in a vacuum oven (60° C. at 1 mm Hg for 24 h) to give a solid which was crushed to a light tan powder (57 g, 85% crude yield). The material was used as is for further reactions.

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine

2,2′-Anhydro-5-methyluridine (195 g, 0.81M), tris(2-methoxyethyl)borate (231 g, 0.98 M) and 2-methoxyethanol (1.2 L) were added to a 2 L stainless steel pressure vessel and placed in a pre-heated oil bath at 160° C. After heating for 48 hours at 155-160° C., the vessel was opened and the solution evaporated to dryness and triturated with MeOH (200 mL). The residue was suspended in hot acetone (1 L). The insoluble salts were filtered, washed with acetone (150 mL) and the filtrate evaporated. The residue (280 g) was dissolved in CH₃CN (600 mL) and evaporated. A silica gel column (3 kg) was packed in CH₂Cl₂/acetone/MeOH (20:5:3) containing 0.5% Et₃NH. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL) and adsorbed onto silica (150 g) prior to loading onto the column. The product was eluted with the packing solvent to give 160 g (63%) of product.

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine (160 g, 0.506 M) was co-evaporated with pyridine (250 mL) and the dried residue dissolved in pyridine (1.3 L). A first aliquot of dimethoxytrityl chloride (94.3 g, 0.278 M) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for one hour. A second aliquot of dimethoxytrityl chloride (94.3 g, 0.278 M) was added and the reaction stirred for an additional one hour. Methanol (170 mL) was then added to stop the reaction. HPLC showed the presence of approximately 70% product. The solvent was evaporated and triturated with CH₃CN (200 mL). The residue was dissolved in CHCl₃ (1.5 L) and extracted with 2×500 mL of saturated NaHCO₃ and 2×500 mL of saturated NaCl. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. 275 g of residue was obtained. The residue was purified on a 3.5 kg silica gel column, packed and eluted with EtOAc/Hexane/Acetone (5:5:1) containing 0.5% Et₃NH. The pure fractions were evaporated to give 164 g of product. Approximately 20 g additional was obtained from the impure fractions to give a total yield of 183 g (57%).

3′-O-Acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine (106 g, 0.167 M), DMF/pyridine (750 mL of a 3:1 mixture prepared from 562 mL of DMF and 188 mL of pyridine) and acetic anhydride (24.38 mL, 0.258 M) were combined and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction was monitored by tlc by first quenching the tlc sample with the addition of MeOH. Upon completion of the reaction, as judged by tlc, MeOH (50 mL) was added and the mixture evaporated at 35° C. The residue was dissolved in CHCl₃ (800 mL) and extracted with 2×200 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate and 2×200 mL of saturated NaCl. The water layers were back extracted with 200 mL of CHCl₃. The combined organics were dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 122 g of residue (approx. 90% product). The residue was purified on a 3.5 kg silica gel column and eluted using EtOAc/Hexane(4:1). Pure product fractions were evaporated to yield 96 g (84%).

3′-O-Acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-4-triazoleuridine

A first solution was prepared by dissolving 3′-O-acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-β-dimethoxynityl-5-methyluridine (96 g, 0.144 M) in CH₃CN (700 mL) and set aside. Triethylamine (189 mL, 1.44 M) was added to a solution of triazole (90 g, 1.3 M) in CH₃CN (1 L), cooled to −5° C. and stirred for 0.5 h using an overhead stirrer. POCl₃ was added dropwise, over a 30 minute period, to the stirred solution maintained at 0-10° C., and the resulting mixture stirred for an additional 2 hours. The first solution was added dropwise, over a 45 minute period, to the later solution. The resulting reaction mixture was stored overnight in a cold room. Salts were filtered from the reaction mixture and the solution was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (1 L) and the insoluble solids were removed by filtration. The filtrate was washed with 1×300 mL of NaHCO₃ and 2×300 mL of saturated NaCl, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was triturated with EtOAc to give the title compound.

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine

A solution of 3′-O-acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-4-triazoleuridine (103 g, 0.141M) in dioxane (500 mL) and NH₄OH (30 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The dioxane solution was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with MeOH (2×200 mL). The residue was dissolved in MeOH (300 mL) and transferred to a 2 liter stainless steel pressure vessel. MeOH (400 mL) saturated with NH₃ gas was added and the vessel heated to 100° C. for 2 hours (tic showed complete conversion). The vessel contents were evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (500 mL) and washed once with saturated NaCl (200 mL). The organics were dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated to give 85 g (95%) of the title compound.

N⁴-Benzoyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine (85 g, 0.134 M) was dissolved in DMF (800 mL) and benzoic anhydride (37.2 g, 0.165 M) was added with stirring. After stirring for 3 hours, tlc showed the reaction to be approximately 95% complete. The solvent was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with MeOH (200 mL). The residue was dissolved in CHCl₃ (700 mL) and extracted with saturated NaHCO₃ (2×300 mL) and saturated NaCl (2×300 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to give a residue (96 g). The residue was chromatographed on a 1.5 kg silica column using EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) containing 0.5% Et₃NH as the eluting solvent. The pure product fractions were evaporated to give 90 g (90%) of the title compound.

N⁴-Benzoyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine-3′-amidite

N⁴-Benzoyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine (74 g, 0.10 M) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (1 L). Tetrazole diisopropylamine (7.1 g) and 2-cyanoethoxy-tetra-(isopropyl)phosphite (40.5 mL, 0.123 M) were added with stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred for 20 hours at room temperature (tic showed the reaction to be 95% complete). The reaction mixture was extracted with saturated NaHCO₃ (1×300 mL) and saturated NaCl (3×300 mL). The aqueous washes were back-extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (300 mL), and the extracts were combined, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue obtained was chromatographed on a 1.5 kg silica column using EtOAc\Hexane (3:1) as the eluting solvent. The pure fractions were combined to give 90.6 g (87%) of the title compound.

5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5-me-C) containing oligonucleotides were synthesized according to published methods (Sanghvi et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 1993, 21, 3197-3203) using commercially available phosphoramidites (Glen Research, Sterling Va. or ChemGenes, Needham Mass.).

2=-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites

2′-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites [also known in the art as 2′-β-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites] are prepared as described in the following paragraphs. Adenosine, cytidine and guanosine nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly to the thymidine (5-methyluridine) except the exocyclic amines are protected with a benzoyl moiety in the case of adenosine and cytidine and with isobutyryl in the case of guanosine.

5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine

O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (Pro. Bio. Sint., Varese, Italy, 100.0 g, 0.416 mmol), dimethylaminopyridine (0.66 g, 0.013 eq, 0.0054 mmol) were dissolved in dry pyridine (500 ml) at ambient temperature under an argon atmosphere and with mechanical stirring. tert-Butyldiphenylchlorosilane (125.8 g, 119.0 mL, 1.1 eq, 0.458 mmol) was added in one portion. The reaction was stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature. TLC (Rf 0.22, ethyl acetate) indicated a complete reaction. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. This was partitioned between dichloromethane (1 L) and saturated sodium bicarbonate (2×1 L) and brine (1 L). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. The oil was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and ethyl ether (600 mL) and the solution was cooled to −10° C. The resulting crystalline product was collected by filtration, washed with ethyl ether (3×200 mL) and dried (40° C., 1 mm Hg, 24 h) to 149 g (74.8%) of white solid. TLC and NMR were consistent with pure product.

5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

In a 2 L stainless steel, unstirred pressure reactor was added borane in tetrahydrofuran (1.0 M, 2.0 eq, 622 mL). In the fume hood and with manual stirring, ethylene glycol (350 mL, excess) was added cautiously at first until the evolution of hydrogen gas subsided. 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (149 g, 0.311 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (0.074 g, 0.003 eq) were added with manual stirring. The reactor was sealed and heated in an oil bath until an internal temperature of 160° C. was reached and then maintained for 16 h (pressure<100 psig). The reaction vessel was cooled to ambient and opened. TLC (Rf 0.67 for desired product and Rf 0.82 for ara-T side product, ethyl acetate) indicated about 70% conversion to the product. In order to avoid additional side product formation, the reaction was stopped, concentrated under reduced pressure (10 to 1 mm Hg) in a warm water bath (40-100° C.) with the more extreme conditions used to remove the ethylene glycol. [Alternatively, once the low boiling solvent is gone, the remaining solution can be partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The product will be in the organic phase.] The residue was purified by column chromatography (2 kg silica gel, ethyl acetate-hexanes gradient 1:1 to 4:1). The appropriate fractions were combined, stripped and dried to product as a white crisp foam (84 g, 50%), contaminated starting material (17.4 g) and pure reusable starting material 20 g. The yield based on starting material less pure recovered starting material was 58%. TLC and NMR were consistent with 99% pure product.

2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine

5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (20 g, 36.98 mmol) was mixed with triphenylphosphine (11.63 g, 44.36 mmol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (7.24 g, 44.36 mmol). It was then dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum for two days at 40° C. The reaction mixture was flushed with argon and dry THF (369 mL, Aldrich, sure seal bottle) was added to get a clear solution. Diethyl-azodicarboxylate (6.98 mL, 44.36 mmol) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The rate of addition is maintained such that resulting deep red coloration is just discharged before adding the next drop. After the addition was complete, the reaction was stirred for 4 hrs. By that time TLC showed the completion of the reaction (ethylacetate:hexane, 60:40). The solvent was evaporated in vacuum. Residue obtained was placed on a flash column and eluted with ethyl acetate:hexane (60:40), to get 2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine as white foam (21.819, 86%).

5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine

2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine (3.1 g, 4.5 mmol) was dissolved in dry CH₂Cl₂ (4.5 mL) and methylhydrazine (300 mL, 4.64 mmol) was added dropwise at −10° C. to 0° C. After 1 hr the mixture was filtered, the filtrate was washed with ice cold CH₂Cl₂ and the combined organic phase was washed with water, brine and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The solution was concentrated to get 2′-O-(aminooxyethyl)thymidine, which was then dissolved in MeOH (67.5 mL). To this formaldehyde (20% aqueous solution, w/w, 1.1 eg.) was added and the mixture for 1 hr. Solvent was removed under vacuum; residue chromatographed to get 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine as white foam (1.95, 78%).

5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O—[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine

5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine (1.77 g, 3.12 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 1M pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (PPTS) in dry MeOH (30.6 mL). Sodium cyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added to this solution at 10° C. under inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at 10° C. After that the reaction vessel was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 hr, the reaction monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (5%, 10 mL) was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 mL). Ethyl acetate phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, evaporated to dryness. Residue was dissolved in a solution of 1M PPTS in MeOH (30.6 mL). Formaldehyde (20% w/w, 30 mL, 3.37 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Reaction mixture cooled to 10° C. in an ice bath, sodium cyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added and reaction mixture stirred at 10° C. for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the reaction mixture was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. To the reaction mixture 5% NaHCO₃ (25 mL) solution was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×25 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. The residue obtained was purified by flash column chromatography and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get 5′-β-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O—[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine as a white foam (14.6 g, 80%).

2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

Triethylamine trihydrofluoride (3.91 mL, 24.0 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF and triethylamine (1.67 mL, 12 mmol, dry, kept over KOH). This mixture of triethylamine-2HF was then added to 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O—[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine (1.40 g, 2.4 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. Reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (766 mg, 92.5%).

5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (750 mg, 2.17 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. It was then co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (20 mL). The residue obtained was dissolved in pyridine (11 mL) under argon atmosphere. 4-dimethylaminopyridine (26.5 mg, 2.60 mmol), 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (880 mg, 2.60 mmol) was added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until all of the starting material disappeared. Pyridine was removed under vacuum and the residue chromatographed and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ (containing a few drops of pyridine) to get 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylamino-oxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (1.13 g, 80%).

5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite]

5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (1.08 g, 1.67 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (20 mL). To the residue N,N-diisopropylamine tetrazonide (0.29 g, 1.67 mmol) was added and dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. Then the reaction mixture was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (8.4 mL) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N¹,N¹-tetraisopropylphosphoramidite (2.12 mL, 6.08 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hrs under inert atmosphere. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (hexane:ethyl acetate 1:1). The solvent was evaporated, then the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (70 mL) and washed with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ (40 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. Residue obtained was chromatographed (ethyl acetate as eluent) to get 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] as a foam (1.04 g, 74.9%).

Oligonucleotides having methylene(methylimino) (MMI) backbones are synthesized according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,825, which is coassigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein in its entirety. For ease of synthesis, various nucleoside dimers containing MMI linkages are synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides. Other nitrogen-containing backbones are synthesized according to WO 92/20823 which is also coassigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein in its entirety.

Oligonucleotides having amide backbones are synthesized according to De Mesmaeker et al. (Acc. Chem. Res. 1995, 28, 366-374). The amide moiety is readily accessible by simple and well-known synthetic methods and is compatible with the conditions required for solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides.

Oligonucleotides with morpholino backbones are synthesized according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506 (Summerton and Weller).

Peptide-nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers are synthesized according to P. E. Nielsen et al. (Science 1991, 254, 1497-1500).

After cleavage from the controlled pore glass column (Applied Biosystems) and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55° C. for 18 hours, the oligonucleotides are purified by precipitation twice out of 0.5M NaCl with 2.5 volumes ethanol. Synthesized oligonucleotides were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on denaturing gels or capillary gel electrophoresis and judged to be at least 85% full length material. The relative amounts of phosphorothioate and phosphodiester linkages obtained in synthesis were periodically checked by ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and for some studies oligonucleotides were purified by HPLC, as described by Chiang et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 18162). Results obtained with HPLC-purified material were similar to those obtained with non-HPLC purified material.

Alternatively, oligonucleotides were synthesized in 96 well plate format via solid phase P(III) phosphoramidite chemistry on an automated synthesizer capable of assembling 96 sequences simultaneously in a standard 96 well format. Phosphodiester internucleotide linkages were afforded by oxidation with aqueous iodine. Phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages were generated by sulfurization utilizing 3,H-1,2 benzodithiole-3-one 1,1 dioxide (Beaucage Reagent) in anhydrous acetonitrile. Standard base-protected beta-cyanoethyl-di-isopropyl phosphoramidites were purchased from commercial vendors (e.g. PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., or Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.). Non-standard nucleosides are synthesized as per published methods. They are utilized as base protected beta-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites.

Oligonucleotides were cleaved from support and deprotected with concentrated NH₄OH at elevated temperature (55-60° C.) for 12-16 hours and the released product then dried in vacuo. The dried product was then re-suspended in sterile water to afford a master plate from which all analytical and test plate samples are then diluted utilizing robotic pipettors.

Example 2 Human STAT3 Oligodeoxynucleotide Sequences

Antisense oligonucleotides were designed to target human STAT3. Target sequence data are from the APRF cDNA sequence published by Akira, S. et al. (Cell, 1994, 77, 63-71); Genbank accession number L29277, provided herein as SEQ ID NO: 1. A set of oligodeoxynucleotides were synthesized with phosphorothioate linkages. T-deoxy cytosines were 5-methyl cytosines. These oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 1. An additional set of oligonucleotides was synthesized as chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings.” The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All 2′-MOE cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines were 5-methyl-cytosines. These oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 2.

An appropriate cell line, typically expressing high levels of STAT3, is chosen for in vitro studies. Cell culture conditions are those standard for that particular cell line. Oligonucleotide treatment is for four hours and mRNA usually isolated 24 to 48 hours following initial treatment. mRNA is isolated using the RNAEASY7 kit (Qiagen, Santa Clarita, Calif.).

TABLE 1 Nucleotide Sequences of Human STAT3 Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides TARGET GENE SEQ NUCLEOTIDE GENE ISIS NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE¹ ID CO- TARGET NO. (5′ -> 3′) NO: ORDINATES² REGION 106691 GTCTGCGCCGCCGCCCCGAA 2 0010-0029 5′-UTR 106692 GGCCGAAGGGCCTCTCCGAG 3 0130-0149 5′-UTR 106693 TCCTGTTTCTCCGGCAGAGG 4 0202-0221 AUG 106694 CATCCTGTTTCTCCGGCAGA 5 0204-0223 AUG 106695 GCCATCCTGTTTCTCCGGCA 6 0206-0225 AUG 106696 GGGCCATCCTGTTTCTCCGG 7 0208-0227 AUG 106697 TTGGGCCATCCTGTTTCTCC 8 0210-0229 AUG 106698 CATTGGGCCATCCTGTTTCT 9 0212-0231 AUG 106699 TCCATTGGGCCATCCTGTTT 10 0214-0233 AUG 106700 ATTCCATTGGGCCATCCTGT 11 0216-0235 AUG 106701 TGATTCCATTGGGCCATCCT 12 0218-0237 AUG 106702 GCTGATTCCATTGGGCCATC 13 0220-0239 AUG 106703 TAGCTGATTCCATTGGGCCA 14 0222-0241 AUG 106704 TGTAGCTGATTCCATTGGGC 15 0224-0243 coding 106705 CTGTAGAGCTGATGGAGCTG 16 0269-0288 coding 106706 CCCAATCTTGACTCTCAATC 17 0331-0350 coding 106707 CCCAGGAGATTATGAAACAC 18 0386-0405 coding 106708 ACATTCGACTCTTGCAGGAA 19 0431-0450 coding 106709 TCTGAAGAAACTGCTTGATT 20 0475-0494 coding 106710 GGCCACAATCCGGGCAATCT 21 0519-0538 coding 106711 TGGCTGCAGTCTGTAGAAGG 22 0562-0581 coding 106712 CTGCTCCAGCATCTGCTGCT 23 0639-0658 coding 106713 TTTCTGTTCTAGATCCTGCA 24 0684-0703 coding 106714 TAGTTGAAATCAAAGTCATC 25 0728-0747 coding 106715 TTCCATTCAGATCTTGCATG 26 0772-0791 coding 106716 TCTGTTCCAGCTGCTGCATC 27 0817-0836 coding 106717 TCACTCACGATGCTTCTCCG 28 0860-0879 coding 106718 GAGTTTTCTGCACGTACTCC 29 0904-0923 coding 106719 ATCTGTTGCCGCCTCTTCCA 30 0947-0968 coding 106720 CTAGCCGATCTAGGCAGATG 31 0991-1010 coding 106721 CGGGTCTGAAGTTGAGATTC 32 1034-1053 coding 106722 CGGCCGGTGCTGTACAATGG 33 1110-1129 coding 106723 TTTCATTAAGTTTCTGAACA 34 1155-1174 coding 106724 AGGATGCATGGGCATGCAGG 35 1200-1219 coding 106725 GACCAGCAACCTGACTTTAG 36 1260-1279 coding 106726 ATGCACACTTTAATTTTAAG 37 1304-1323 coding 106727 TTCCGGGATCCTCTGAGAGC 38 1349-1368 coding 106728 TTCCATGTTCATCACTTTTG 39 1392-1411 coding 106729 GTCAAGTGTTTGAATTCTGC 40 1436-1455 coding 106730 CAATCAGGGAAGCATCACAA 41 1495-1514 coding 106731 TACACCTCGGTCTCAAAGGT 42 1538-1557 coding 106732 TGACAAGGAGTGGGTCTCTA 43 1581-1600 coding 106733 CGCCCAGGCATTTGGCATCT 44 1626-1645 coding 106734 CATTCTTGGGATTGTTGGTC 45 1669-1688 coding 106735 CACTTGGTCCCAGGTTCCAA 46 1713-1732 coding 106736 CCCGCTTGGTGGTGGACGAG 47 1756-1775 coding 106737 AGTTCACACCAGGCCCTAGG 48 1816-1835 coding 106738 GTTTTCTTTGCAGAAGTTAG 49 1860-1879 coding 106739 ATATTGTCTAGCCAGACCCA 50 1904-1923 coding 106740 AACCCATGATGTACCCTTCA 51 1963-1982 coding 106741 GCTTAGTGCTCAAGATGGCC 52 2005-2024 coding 106742 GCTGCTTTCACTGAAGCGCA 53 2043-2062 coding 106743 GTGAAAGTGACGCCTCCTTC 54 2066-2085 coding 106744 CTGATGTCCTTCTCCACCCA 55 2087-2106 coding 106745 ACTGGATCTGGGTCTTACCG 56 2107-2126 coding 106746 AAATGACATGTTGTTCAGCT 57 2151-2170 coding 106747 GCCCATGATGATTTCAGCAA 58 2169-2188 coding 106748 TATTGGTAGCATCCATGATC 59 2194-2213 coding 106749 ATAGACAAGTGGAGACAACA 60 2217-2236 coding 106750 TTGGGAATGTCAGGATAGAG 61 2237-2256 coding 106751 CTCCTGGCTCTCTGGCCGAC 62 2280-2299 coding 106752 ACCTGGGTCAGCTTCAGGAT 63 2301-2320 coding 106753 CACAGATAAACTTGGTCTTC 64 2338-2357 coding 106754 ATCGGCAGGTCAATGGTATT 65 2378-2397 coding 106755 CCAAACTGCATCAATGAATC 66 2414-2433 coding 106756 GGTTCAGCACCTTCACCATT 67 2438-2457 coding 106757 GAGGGACTCAAACTGCCCTC 68 2466-2485 coding 106758 CAACTCCATGTCAAAGGTGA 69 2484-2503 coding 106759 TTCTCAGCTCCTCACATGGG 70 2525-2544 STOP 106760 CGTTCTCAGCTCCTCACATG 71 2527-2546 STOP 106761 TCCGTTCTCAGCTCCTCACA 72 2529-2548 STOP 106762 CTTCCGTTCTCAGCTCCTCA 73 2531-2550 STOP 106763 AGCTTCCGTTCTCAGCTCCT 74 2533-2552 STOP 106764 AGAATGCAGGTAGGCGCCTC 75 2569-2588 3′-UTR 106765 ACCACAAAGTTAGTAGTTTC 76 2623-2642 3′-UTR 106766 TGCTCAAAGATAGCAGAAGT 77 2665-2684 3′-UTR 106767 ATTCACTCATTTCTCTATTT 78 2701-2720 3′-UTR 106768 CATTTAGATAAAAGCAGATC 79 2727-2746 3′-UTR 106769 ACATCCTTATTTGCATTTAG 80 2740-2759 3′-UTR 106770 GATCATGGGTCTCAGAGAAC 81 2760-2779 3′-UTR ¹“C” residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. ²Coordinates from Genbank Accession No. L29277, locus name “HUMAPRF”, SEQ ID NO. 1.

TABLE 2 Nucleotide Sequences of Human STAT3 Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides TARGET GENE SEQ NUCLEOTIDE GENE ISIS NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE¹ ID CO- TARGET NO. (5′ -> 3′) NO: ORDINATES² REGION 106771 GTCTGCGCCGCCGCCCCGAA 2 0010-0029 5′-UTR 106772 GGCCGAAGGGCCTCTCCGAG 3 0130-0149 5′-UTR 106773 TCCTGTTTCTCCGGCAGAGG 4 0202-0221 AUG 106774 CATCCTGTTTCTCCGGCAGA 5 0204-0223 AUG 106775 GCCATCCTGTTTCTCCGGCA 6 0206-0225 AUG 106776 GGGCCATCCTGTTTCTCCGG 7 0208-0227 AUG 106777 TTGGGCCATCCTGTTTCTCC 8 0210-0229 AUG 106778 CATTGGGCCATCCTGTTTCT 9 0212-0231 AUG 106779 TCCATTGGGCCATCCTGTTT 10 0214-0233 AUG 106780 ATTCCATTGGGCCATCCTGT 11 0216-0235 AUG 106781 TGATTCCATTGGGCCATCCT 12 0218-0237 AUG 106782 GCTGATTCCATTGGGCCATC 13 0220-0239 AUG 106783 TAGCTGATTCCATTGGGCCA 14 0222-0241 AUG 106784 TGTAGCTGATTCCATTGGGC 15 0224-0243 coding 106785 CTGTAGAGCTGATGGAGCTG 16 0269-0288 coding 106786 CCCAATCTTGACTCTCAATC 17 0331-0350 coding 106787 CCCAGGAGATTATGAAACAC 18 0386-0405 coding 106788 ACATTCGACTCTTGCAGGAA 19 0431-0450 coding 106789 TCTGAAGAAACTGCTTGATT 20 0475-0494 coding 106790 GGCCACAATCCGGGCAATCT 21 0519-0538 coding 106791 TGGCTGCAGTCTGTAGAAGG 22 0562-0581 coding 106792 CTGCTCCAGCATCTGCTGCT 23 0639-0658 coding 106793 TTTCTGTTCTAGATCCTGCA 24 0684-0703 coding 106794 TAGTTGAAATCAAAGTCATC 25 0728-0747 coding 106795 TTCCATTCAGATCTTGCATG 26 0772-0791 coding 106796 TCTGTTCCAGCTGCTGCATC 27 0817-0836 coding 106797 TCACTCACGATGCTTCTCCG 28 0860-0879 coding 106798 GAGTTTTCTGCACGTACTCC 29 0904-0923 coding 106799 ATCTGTTGCCGCCTCTTCCA 30 0947-0968 coding 106800 CTAGCCGATCTAGGCAGATG 31 0991-1010 coding 106801 CGGGTCTGAAGTTGAGATTC 32 1034-1053 coding 106802 CGGCCGGTGCTGTACAATGG 33 1110-1129 coding 106803 TTTCATTAAGTTTCTGAACA 34 1155-1174 coding 106804 AGGATGCATGGGCATGCAGG 35 1200-1219 coding 106805 GACCAGCAACCTGACTTTAG 36 1260-1279 coding 106806 ATGCACACTTTAATTTTAAG 37 1304-1323 coding 106807 TTCCGGGATCCTCTGAGAGC 38 1349-1368 coding 106808 TTCCATGTTCATCACTTTTG 39 1392-1411 coding 106809 GTCAAGTGTTTGAATTCTGC 40 1436-1455 coding 106810 CAATCAGGGAAGCATCACAA 41 1495-1514 coding 106811 TACACCTCGGTCTCAAAGGT 42 1538-1557 coding 106812 TGACAAGGAGTGGGTCTCTA 43 1581-1600 coding 106813 CGCCCAGGCATTTGGCATCT 44 1626-1645 coding 106814 CATTCTTGGGATTGTTGGTC 45 1669-1688 coding 106815 CACTTGGTCCCAGGTTCCAA 46 1713-1732 coding 106816 CCCGCTTGGTGGTGGACGAG 47 1756-1775 coding 106817 AGTTCACACCAGGCCCTAGG 48 1816-1835 coding 106818 GTTTTCTTTGCAGAAGTTAG 49 1860-1879 coding 106819 ATATTGTCTAGCCAGACCCA 50 1904-1923 coding 106820 AACCCATGATGTACCCTTCA 51 1963-1982 coding 106821 GCTTAGTGCTCAAGATGGCC 52 2005-2024 coding 106822 GCTGCTTTCACTGAAGCGCA 53 2043-2062 coding 106823 GTGAAAGTGACGCCTCCTTC 54 2066-2085 coding 106824 CTGATGTCCTTCTCCACCCA 55 2087-2106 coding 106825 ACTGGATCTGGGTCTTACCG 56 2107-2126 coding 106826 AAATGACATGTTGTTCAGCT 57 2151-2170 coding 106827 GCCCATGATGATTTCAGCAA 58 2169-2188 coding 106828 TATTGGTAGCATCCATGATC 59 2194-2213 coding 106829 ATAGACAAGTGGAGACAACA 60 2217-2236 coding 106830 TTGGGAATGTCAGGATAGAG 61 2237-2256 coding 106831 CTCCTGGCTCTCTGGCCGAC 62 2280-2299 coding 106832 ACCTGGGTCAGCTTCAGGAT 63 2301-2320 coding 106833 CACAGATAAACTTGGTCTTC 64 2338-2357 coding 106834 ATCGGCAGGTCAATGGTATT 65 2378-2397 coding 106835 CCAAACTGCATCAATGAATC 66 2414-2433 coding 106836 GGTTCAGCACCTTCACCATT 67 2438-2457 coding 106837 GAGGGACTCAAACTGCCCTC 68 2466-2485 coding 106838 CAACTCCATGTCAAAGGTGA 69 2484-2503 coding 106839 TTCTCAGCTCCTCACATGGG 70 2525-2544 STOP 106840 CGTTCTCAGCTCCTCACATG 71 2527-2546 STOP 106841 TCCGTTCTCAGCTCCTCACA 72 2529-2548 STOP 106842 CTTCCGTTCTCAGCTCCTCA 73 2531-2550 STOP 106843 AGCITCCGTTCTCAGCTCCT 74 2533-2552 STOP 106844 AGAATGCAGGTAGGCGCCTC 75 2569-2588 3′-UTR 106845 ACCACAAAGTTAGTAGTTTC 76 2623-2642 3′-UTR 106846 TGCTCAAAGATAGCAGAAGT 77 2665-2684 3′-UTR 106847 ATTCACTCATTTCTCTATTT 78 2701-2720 3′-UTR 106848 CATTTAGATAAAAGCAGATC 79 2727-2746 3′-UTR 106849 ACATCCTTATTTGCATTTAG 80 2740-2759 3′-UTR 106850 GATCATGGGTCTCAGAGAAC 81 2760-2779 3′-UTR ¹Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues, 2′-methoxyethoxy cytosine residues and 2′-OH cytosine residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. ²Coordinates from Genbank Accession No. L29277, locus name “HUMAPRF”, SEQ ID NO. 1.

Oligonucleotide activity is assayed by quantitation of STAT3 mRNA levels by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) using the ABI PRISM™ 7700 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions. This is a closed-tube, non-gel-based, fluorescence detection system which allows high-throughput quantitation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in real-time. As opposed to standard PCR, in which amplification products are quantitated after the PCR is completed, products in RT-PCR are quantitated as they accumulate. This is accomplished by including in the PCR reaction an oligonucleotide probe that anneals specifically between the forward and reverse PCR primers, and contains two fluorescent dyes. A reporter dye (e.g., JOE or FAM, PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is attached to the 5′ end of the probe and a quencher dye (e.g., TAMRA, PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is attached to the 3′ end of the probe. When the probe and dyes are intact, reporter dye emission is quenched by the proximity of the 3′ quencher dye. During amplification, annealing of the probe to the target sequence creates a substrate that can be cleaved by the 5′-exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase. During the extension phase of the PCR amplification cycle, cleavage of the probe by Taq polymerase releases the reporter dye from the remainder of the probe (and hence from the quencher moiety) and a sequence-specific fluorescent signal is generated. With each cycle, additional reporter dye molecules are cleaved from their respective probes, and the fluorescence intensity is monitored at regular (six-second) intervals by laser optics built into the ABI PRISM™ 7700 Sequence Detection System. In each assay, a series of parallel reactions containing serial dilutions of mRNA from untreated control samples generates a standard curve that is used to quantitate the percent inhibition after antisense oligonucleotide treatment of test samples.

RT-PCR reagents are obtained from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. RT-PCR reactions are carried out by adding 25 μl PCR cocktail (1×TAQMAN7 buffer A, 5.5 mM MgCl₂, 300 μM each of dATP, dCTP and dGTP, 600 μM of dUTP, 100 nM each of forward primer, reverse primer, and probe, 20 U RNAse inhibitor, 1.25 units AMPLITAQ GOLD7, and 12.5 U MuLV reverse transcriptase) to 96 well plates containing 25 μl poly(A) mRNA solution. The RT reaction is carried out by incubation for 30 minutes at 48° C. following a 10 minute incubation at 95° C. to activate the AMPLITAQ GOLD7, 40 cycles of a two-step PCR protocol are carried out: 95° C. for 15 seconds (denaturation) followed by 60° C. for 1.5 minutes (annealing/extension).

STAT3 PCR primers and a probe can be designed using commercial software (e.g. Oligo 5.0).

Example 3 Mouse STAT3 Oligonucleotide Sequences

Antisense oligonucleotides were designed to target mouse STAT3. Target sequence data are from the STAT3 cDNA sequence submitted by Zhong, Z.; Genbank accession number U06922, provided herein as SEQ ID NO: 82. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings.” The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All 2′-MOE cytosines were 5-methyl-cytosines. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 3.

The B lymphoma cell line, BCL1 was obtained from ATCC (Rockville, Md.). BCL1 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium.

BCL1 cells (5×10⁶ cells in PBS) were transfected with oligonucleotides by electroporation, at 200V, 1000° F. using a BTX Electro Cell Manipulator 600 (Genetronics, San Diego, Calif.). For an initial screen, BCL1 were electroporated with 10 μM oligonucleotide and RNA collected 24 hours later. Controls without oligonucleotide were subjected to the same electroporation conditions.

Total cellular RNA was isolated using the RNEASY7 kit (Qiagen, Santa Clarita, Calif.). RNAse protection experiments were conducted using RIBOQUANT™ kits and template sets according to the manufacturer's instructions (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.). Northern blotting was performed as described in Chiang, M-Y. et al. (J. Biol. Chem., 1991, 266, 18162-18171), using a rat cDNA probe prepared by Xho I/Sal I restriction digest of psvsport-1 plasmid (ATCC, Rockville, Md.). mRNA levels were quantitated using a Phosphorlmager (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.).

TABLE 3 Nucleotide Sequences of Mouse STAT3 Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides TARGET GENE GENE ISIS NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE¹ SEQ NUCLEOTIDE TARGET NO. (5′ -> 3′) ID NO: CO-ORDINATES² REGION 17136 GTTCCACTGAGCCATCCTGC 83 0064-0083 AUG 17137 TTCAGGTAGCGTGTGTCCAG 84 0096-0115 coding 17138 ATGTGACTCTTTGCTGGCTG 85 0205-0224 coding 17139 CCAAGAGATTATGAAACACC 86 0233-0252 coding 17140 GCTCCAACATCTGCTGCTTC 87 0485-0504 coding 17141 GCTCTTCATCAGTCAGTGTC 88 0767-0786 coding 17142 ATCTGACACCCTGAGTAGTT 89 1680-1699 coding 17143 GCCAGACCCAGAAGGAGAAG 90 1742-1761 coding 17144 CGCTCCTTGCTGATGAAACC 91 1827-1846 coding 17145 AACTTGGTCTTCAGGTACGG 92 2178-2197 coding 17146 ATCAATGAATCTAAAGTGCG 93 2253-2272 coding 17147 TCAGCACCTTCACCGTTATT 94 2283-2302 coding 17148 ACTCAAACTGCCCTCCTGCT 95 2309-2328 coding 17149 GGTTTCAGCTCCTCACATGG 96 2374-2393 STOP 17150 TAAAAAAAAAAATCTGGAAC 97 2485-2504 3′-UTR 17151 AAGATAGCAGAAGTAGGAAA 98 2506-2525 3′-UTR 17152 AAAAAGTGCCCAGATTGCCC 99 2527-2546 3′-UTR 17153 ATCACCCACACTCACTCATT 100 2557-2645 3′-UTR 17154 CCTTTGCCTCCCTTCTGCTC 101 2626-2645 3′-UTR 17155 TGAAAAAGGAGGGCAGGCGG 102 2665-2684 3′-UTR 17156 CACCAGGAGGCACTTGTCTA 103 2705-2724 3′-UTR 17157 AACCTCCTGGGCTTAGTCCT 104 2822-2841 3′-UTR 23176 AAAAAGTGCGCAGATTGCCC 105 1 base mismatch control 23177 AAAAAGTCCGCTGATTGCCC 106 3 base mismatch control 23178 AAAAACTCCGCTGAATGCCC 107 5 base mismatch control ¹All 2′-MOE cytosine residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. ²Co-ordinates from Genbank Accession No. U06922, locus name “MMU06922”, SEQ ID NO. 82.

Results are shown in Table 4. Oligonucleotides 17138 (SEQ ID NO. 85), 17139 (SEQ ID NO. 86), 17140 (SEQ ID NO. 87), 17143 (SEQ ID NO. 90), 17144 (SEQ ID NO. 91), 17152 (SEQ ID NO. 99), 17153 (SEQ ID NO. 100), 17156 (SEQ ID NO. 103), and 17157 (SEQ ID NO. 104) gave better than 45% inhibition in this assay.

TABLE 4 Inhibition of Mouse STAT3 mRNA expression in BCL1 Cells by Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides ISIS SEQ ID GENE TARGET % mRNA % mRNA No: NO: REGION EXPRESSION INHIBITION control — — 100%   0% 17136 83 AUG 75% 25% 17137 84 coding 75% 25% 17138 85 coding 37% 63% 17139 86 coding 41% 59% 17140 87 coding 40% 60% 17141 88 coding 62% 38% 17142 89 coding 70% 30% 17143 90 coding 42% 58% 17144 91 coding 55% 45% 17145 92 coding 89% 11% 17146 93 coding 91%  9% 17147 94 coding 70% 30% 17148 95 coding 69% 31% 17149 96 STOP 70% 30% 17150 97 3′-UTR 95%  5% 17151 98 3′-UTR 92%  8% 17152 99 3′-UTR 25% 75% 17153 100 3′-UTR 44% 56% 17154 101 3′-UTR 80% 20% 17155 102 3′-UTR 78% 22% 17156 103 3′-UTR 40% 60% 17157 104 3′-UTR 53% 47%

Example 4 Dose Response of Antisense Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotide Effects on Mouse STAT3 Protein Levels in BCL1 Cells

ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID. NO. 99) was chosen for further study. The effect of this oligonucleotide on protein levels was determined by Western blot. ISIS 23177 (SEQ ID NO. 106), a 3 base mismatch, was used as a control. BCL1 cells were grown, treated and processed as described in Example 2.

Nuclear extracts from primary B cells and B lymphoma cell lines were prepared as described in Karras, J. G., et al. (J. Exp. Med., 1997, 185, 1035-1042).

Western blotting was performed as described in Karras, J. G. et al. (J. Immunol., 1996, 157, 2299). STAT1 and STAT3 antibodies were obtained from UBI (Lake Placid, N.Y.).

Results are shown in Table 5. ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID NO. 99) was significantly better at reducing STAT3 protein levels than the mismatch control.

TABLE 5 Dose Response of BCL1 cells to STAT3 Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides SEQ ID ASO Gene % protein % protein ISIS # NO: Target Dose Expression Inhibition control — — —  100% — 17152  99 3′-UTR 10 nM 41.7% 58.3% ″ ″ ″ 15 nM 42.5% 57.5% ″ ″ ″ 20 nM 26.5% 73.5% 23177 106 control 10 nM 75.1% 24.9% ″ ″ ″ 15 nM 67.6% 32.4% ″ ″ ″ 20 nM 62.6% 37.4%

Example 5 Inhibition of BCL1 Proliferation by STAT3 Antisense Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotide

The effect of ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID NO. 99) on BCL1 proliferation was determined. BCL1 cells contain constitutively active STAT3 which is thought to be responsible for their proliferation. BCL1 cells were grown, treated and processed as described in Example 2.

1×10⁵ BCL1 cells were incubated in 96-well plates in 2004 complete RPMI following electroporation. Cultures were pulsed with 1 μCi of [³H]-thymidine for the last 8 hours of culture and cells were harvested and analyzed for thymidine incorporation as described in Francis, D. A. et al. (Int. Immunol., 1995, 7, 151-161) 48 hours after electroporation.

Results are shown in Table 6. ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID NO. 99) was able to reduce BCL1 cell proliferation by approximately 50% whereas the mismatch control had no effect.

TABLE 6 Inhibition of BCL1 Cell Proliferation with STAT3 Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides SEQ ID ASO Gene % Cell % Cell ISIS # NO: Target Dose Proliferation Inhibition control — — —  100% — 17152  99 3′-UTR 10 nM 78.5% 21.5% ″ ″ ″ 15 nM 54.4% 45.6% ″ ″ ″ 20 nM 50.2% 49.8% 23177 106 control 10 nM 117.0%  — ″ ″ ″ 15 nM 99.7%  0.3% ″ ″ ″ 20 nM 107.0%  —

Example 6 Inhibition of BCL1 IgM Secretion by STAT3 Antisense Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides

The effect of ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID. NO. 99) on IgM secretion levels was determined. STAT3 has been implicated in regulation of IgM expression (Faris, M., et al., Immunology, 1997, 90, 350-357). BCL1 cells were grown, treated and processed as described in Example 2.

1×10⁶ BCL1 cells were incubated in 12-well plates in 2 mL complete RPMI following electroporation. Supernatant was replaced at 24 hour post electroporation with fresh medium. 48 hours later, supernatants were harvested, centrifuged to remove cells, and assayed for IgM content using the OPT-EIA™ ELISA kit (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) and capture and detecting antibodies for mouse IgM (Southern Biotechnology, Birmingham, Ala.).

Results are shown in Table 7. ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID NO. 99) was significantly better at reducing IgM secretion than the mismatch control.

TABLE 7 Inhibition of BCL1 IgM secretion by STAT3 Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides SEQ ID ASO Gene % IgM % IgM ISIS # NO: Target Dose Expression Inhibition control — — —  100% — 17152  99 3′-UTR  5 nM 34.2% 65.8% ″ ″ ″ 15 nM 23.1% 76.9% 23177 106 control  5 nM 110.0%  — ″ ″ ″ 15 nM 80.8% 19.2%

Example 7 Induction of Chemokines in BCL1 Cells Following Treatment with STAT3 Antisense Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotide

The effect of ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID. NO. 99) on chemokine levels was determined. BCL1 cells were grown, treated and processed as described in Example 2. Chemokine gene expression was induced in BCL1 cells by addition of 10 μM of a CpG-containing oligonucleotide to the media 16 hours following antisense oligonucleotide electroporation. CpG-containing oligonucleotides are immune-stimulatory (Krieg, A. M., et al., Nature, 1995, 374, 546-549). The levels of chemokines were measured eight hours later using RNase protection assay as described in Example 2 with a mouse chemokine template set, Mck-5 (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.).

Results are shown in Table 8. ISIS 17152 (SEQ ID. NO. 99) was able to induce the expression of the chemokines, RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β whereas the mismatch control had minimal effect.

TABLE 8 Induction of Chemokines in BCL1 Cells Following Treatment with STAT3 Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides ASO % SEQ ID Gene RANTES % MIP1a % MIP1b ISIS # NO: Target Dose mRNA mRNA mRNA control — — — 100% 100% 100% 17152  99 3′-UTR  5 nM 236% 201% 133% ″ ″ ″ 10 nM 266% 258% 150% ″ ″ ″ 20 nM 257% 254% 159% 23178 107 control  5 nM  96% 123% 96.5%  ″ ″ ″ 10 nM 70.2%  116% 87.1%  ″ ″ ″ 20 nM  56% 106% 73.3% 

Example 8 Effect of STAT3 Antisense Oligonucleotides in a Murine Model for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is used as a murine model for arthritis (Mussener, A., et al., Clin. Exp. Immunol., 1997, 107, 485-493). Female DBA/1LacJ mice (Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, Me.) between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks are used to assess the activity of STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides.

On day 0, the mice are immunized at the base of the tail with 100 μg of bovine type II collagen which is emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). On day 7, a second booster dose of collagen is administered by the same route. On day 14, the mice are injected subcutaneously with 100 μg of LPS. Oligonucleotide is administered intraperitoneally daily (10 mg/kg bolus) starting on day −3 and continuing for the duration of the study.

Weights are recorded weekly. Mice are inspected daily for the onset of CIA. Paw widths are rear ankle widths of affected and unaffected joints and are measured three times a week using a constant tension caliper. Limbs are clinically evaluated and graded on a scale from 0-4 (with 4 being the highest).

Example 9 Effect of STAT3 Antisense Oligonucleotides on Growth of Human MDA-MB231 Tumors in Nude Mice

MDA-MB231 human breast carcinoma cells are obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (Bethesda, Md.). Serially transplanted MDA-MB231 tumors are established subcutaneously in nude mice. Beginning two weeks later, STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides, in saline, are administered intravenously daily for 14 days at dosages of 60 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg. Control oligonucleotides are also administered at these doses, and a saline control is also given. Tumor growth rates are monitored for the two-week period of oligonucleotide administration. Activity of the STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides is measured by a reduction in tumor growth. A lower-dose study can also be conducted using the same oligonucleotides at 6 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg.

Example 10 Effect of STAT3 Antisense Oligonucleotides on U-87 Human Glioblastoma Cells Following Subcutaneous Xenografts into Nude Mice

The U-87 human glioblastoma cell line is obtained from the ATCC (Rockville Md.) and maintained in Iscove's DMEM medium supplemented with heat-inactivated 10% fetal calf serum. Nude mice are injected subcutaneously with 2×10⁷ cells. Mice are injected intraperitoneally with STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides at dosages of either 2 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg for 21 consecutive days beginning 7 days after xenografts are implanted. Tumor volumes are measured on days 14, 21, 24, 31 and 35. Activity is measured by reduced tumor volume compared to saline or sense oligonucleotide control.

Example 11 Effect of STAT3 Antisense Oligonucleotides on Intracerebral U-87 Glioblastoma Xenografts into Nude Mice

U-87 cells are implanted in the brains of nude mice. Mice are treated via continuous intraperitoneal administration of STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides at 20 mg/kg, control sense oligonucleotide (20 mg/kg) or saline beginning on day 7 after xenograft implantation. Activity of the STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides is measured by an increase in survival time compared to controls.

Example 12 Additional Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeted to Human STAT3

An additional set of oligonucleotides targeted to SEQ ID NO: 1 was designed and synthesized as chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings.” The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides (shown in bold). The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All 2′-MOE cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines were 5-methyl-cytosines. These oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Nucleotide Sequences of Additional Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides targeted to Human STAT3 TARGET GENE GENE SEQ ISIS NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE¹ NUCLEOTIDE TARGET ID NO. (5′ -> 3′) CO-ORDINATES² REGION NO: 113169 ATGTGATTCTTTGCTGGCCG 357 5′ UTR 108 113170 AGCTGATTCCATTGGGCCAT 221 AUG 109 113171 CCAGGAGATTATGAAACACC 385 Coding 110 113172 ACCGTGTGTCAAGCTGCTGT 241 Coding 111 113173 CCATTGGGAAGCTGTCACTG 286 Coding 112 113174 TGTGATTCTTTGCTGGCCGC 356 Coding 113 113175 GCGGCTATACTGCTGGTCAA 411 Coding 114 113176 GCTCCAGCATCTGCTGCTTC 637 Coding 115 113177 GATTCTTCCCACAGGCACCG 539 Coding 116 113178 TGATTCTTCCCACAGGCACC 540 Coding 117 113179 ATCCTGAAGGTGCTGCTCCA 651 Coding 118 113180 CGGACATCCTGAAGGTGCTG 656 Coding 119 113181 CCCGCCAGCTCACTCACGAT 869 Coding 120 113182 AGTCAGCCAGCTCCTCGTCC 928 Coding 121 113183 CCAGTCAGCCAGCTCCTCGT 930 Coding 122 113184 CGCCTCTTCCAGTCAGCCAG 938 Coding 123 113185 GGCCGGTGCTGTACAATGGG 1109 Coding 124 113186 ATCCTCTCCTCCAGCATCGG 1127 Coding 125 113187 CCGCTCCACCACAAAGGCAC 1176 Coding 126 113188 CGTCCCCAGAGTCTTTGTCA 1324 Coding 127 113189 TTGTGTTTGTGCCCAGAATG 1375 Coding 128 113190 GCTCGGCCCCCATTCCCACA 1472 Coding 129 113191 AGGCATTTGGCATCTGACAG 1621 Coding 130 113192 CTTGGGATTGTTGGTCAGCA 1665 Coding 131 113193 CTCGGCCACTTGGTCCCAGG 1719 Coding 132 113194 CCCCGCTTGGTGGTGGACGA 1757 Coding 133 113195 CCCCCGCTTGGTGGTGGACG 1758 Coding 134 113196 GGAGAAGCCCTTGCCAGCCA 1881 Coding 135 113197 TTCATTCCAAAGGGCCAAGA 1947 Coding 136 113198 CCCGCTCCTTGCTGATGAAA 1981 Coding 137 113199 GTGCTCAAGATGGCCCGCTC 2000 Coding 138 113200 CCCAAGTGAAAGTGACGCCT 2071 Coding 139 113201 ACCCAAGTGAAAGTGACGCC 2072 Coding 140 113202 CCGAATGCCTCCTCCTTGGG 2252 Coding 141 113203 GCCGACAATACTTCCCGAAT 2266 Coding 142 113204 GATGCTCCTGGCTCTCTGGC 2284 Coding 143 113205 TCAATGAATCTAAAGCGCGG 2404 Coding 144 113206 GACTCAAACTGCCCTCCTGC 2462 Coding 145 113207 ATCACCCACATTCACTCATT 2710 3′ UTR 146 113208 AAAAGTGCCCAGATTGC 2682 3′ UTR 147 113209 AAAAGTGCCCAGATTGCTCA 2679 3′ UTR 148 113210 TAAAAGTGCCCAGATTGCTC 2680 3′ UTR 149 113211 AAGCAGATCACCCACATTCA 2716 3′ UTR 150

These oligonucleotides were screened by Northern blot analysis in U266 cells at an oligonucleotide concentration of 2.5 μM. U266 human myeloma cell lines (originally obtained from American Type Culture Collection) were maintained in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Cells (15×106 cells in PBS) were transfected with oligonucleotides at 200V with a single 6-millisecond pulse using a BTX Electro Square Porator T820 (Genetronics, San Diego Calif.). The cells were incubated for 24 hours before RNA extraction.

Total cellular RNA was isolated using the Rneasy kit (Qiagen, Santa Clarita, Calif.). Northern blotting was perfomed on 15 μg of RNA using a cDNA probe prepared from MB-MDA 468 RNA by standard RT-PCR followed by a nested primer reaction. Signals were quantitated using a Molecular Dynamics Phosphorimager.

Results for selected compounds (expressed as percent of control mRNA expression and percent inhibition of mRNA expression) are shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Inhibition of Human STAT3 mRNA expression in U266 Cells by Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides GENE ISIS SEQ ID TARGET % mRNA % mRNA No: NO: REGION EXPRESSION INHIBITION None — — 100 — 17148 95 Coding 95.1 4.9 17152 99 3′UTR 82.5 17.5 113170 109 AUG 89.6 10.4 113171 110 Coding 110.2 — 113172 111 Coding 96.1 3.9 113173 112 Coding 119 — 113175 114 Coding 75.8 24.2 113176 115 Coding 72.3 27.7 113178 117 Coding 143.9 — 113181 120 Coding 105.4 — 113184 123 Coding 104.3 — 113187 126 Coding 55.9 44.1 113189 128 Coding 163.9 — 113199 139 Coding 64.4 35.6 113207 146 3′UTR 123.6 — 113209 148 3′UTR 71.4 28.6 113210 149 3′UTR 72.2 27.8 113211 150 3′UTR 116.5 —

Dose-response experiments were conducted for ISIS 113176, 129987, 113187, 129991, 113209, 129995, 113210 and 129999 as well as ISIS 17148 and the mouse STAT3 oligo ISIS 114054. Results are shown in Table 11.

TABLE 11 Percent inhibition of human STAT3 mRNA expression with antisense oligonucleotides-dose response Percent inhibition of STAT3 expression SEQ ID Oligo concentration ISIS # NO: 2.5 μM 5 μM 10 μM 17148 95 8 54 60 114054 4 17 15 113176 33 67 79 129987 5 5 29 113187 44 56 75 129991 21 22 26 113209 43 54 73 129995 5 32 25 113210 36 50 76 129999 31 8 —

ISIS 17148, 113176, 113187, 113209 and 113210 were shown to reduce STAT3 expression by over 50% at one or more oligonucleotide concentrations. These compounds are therefore preferred.

Example 13 Antisense Inhibition of STAT3 Causes Apoptotic Cell Death in Mouse Melanoma Cells

Mouse B16 melanoma cells were grown in RPMI 1640 (Life Technologies, Inc., Grand Island, N.Y.) medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM L-glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 1% MEM nonessential amino acids and 100 IU/ml penicillin/streptomycin.

Cells were treated with ISIS 17152, targeted to mouse STAT3, or the 3-base mismatch control, ISIS 28084 (AAAAAGAGGCCTGATTGCCC; SEQ ID NO: 151). Cells were transfected with oligonucleotide using LipofectAMINE PLUSJ reagent (GibcoBRL). Oligonucleotide was pre-complexed with LipofectAMINE PLUSJ by adding the oligonucleotide to 100 μl serum-free RPMI 1640 medium, then 6 μl LipofectAMINE PLUSJ reagent was added, the sample was mixed well and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. An additional 4 μl of LipofectAMINE PLUSJ reagent was diluted to 100 μl in serum-free RPMI. This diluted LipofectAMINE PLUSJ was mixed with the pre-complexed oligonucleotide/LipofectAMINE PLUSJ mixture and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. 800 μl of serum-free RPMI 1640 was added, and the resulting oligonucleotide-LipofectAMINE PLUSJ-medium mixture (approximately 1 ml) was added to cells in a 6-well plate. After 3 hours incubation, 1 ml of RPMI 1640 supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum was added. Oligonucleotide concentrations were 200 nM or 300 nM.

24 hours after transfection, cells were counted to determine the effect of antisense treatment on cell death. Cells were harvested at 24 hours post transfection for western blot analysis and at 48 hours post-transfection for Annexin-V staining for apoptosis.

Effects of oligonucleotide on cell number are shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Effect of antisense inhibition of STAT3 on cell number 200 nM 300 nM ISIS 28084 ISIS ISIS 28084 ISIS Expt (3 mismatch) 17152 (3 mismatch) 17152 1 10.2 × 10⁵ 3.8 × 10⁵ 2  5.0 × 10⁵ 6.8 × 10⁵ 9.1 × 10⁵ 3.5 × 10⁵ 3  3.5 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁵ 3.3 × 10⁵ 2.2 × 10⁵

Thus treatment with STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide increased cell death (decreased cell number).

Apoptosis in B16 cells was measured by staining with Annexin V-PE (Clontech) and flow cytometry analysis 48 hours after antisense treatment. Positive staining for Annexin-V indicates apoptosis is occurring. Mock-transfected cells and control oligonucleotide-treated cell cultures had 11.37% and 10.15% of cells staining positive for Annexin-V. In contrast, ISIS 17152-treated cells were 29.84% positive for Annexin-V, indicating a nearly threefold increase in apoptotic cells. It should be noted that in general, the percent of apoptosis in B16 cells is likely to have been underestimated since detached dead cells are washed off in processing.

Western blot analysis was done on cells 24 hours after antisense treatment, using an anti-STAT3 antibody (K15, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif.). ISIS 17152 at 200 nM or 300 nM significantly reduced STAT3 protein production in B16 cells.

Example 14 Effect of STAT3 Antisense Oligonucleotides on Melanoma Tumors

Six-week-old female C57BL mice were purchased from the National Cancer Center (Frederick Md.) and maintained under approved conditions. Mice were shaved in the left flank area and injected subcutaneously with 2×10⁵ B16 melanoma cells in 100 μl of PBS. After 7-10 days, B16 tumors with a diameter of 3-6 mm were established. Tumor volume was calculated according to the formula V=0.52×a²×b (a, smallest superficial diameter; b, largest superficial diameter).

Beginning two weeks later, STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides, in saline, are administered intravenously daily for 14 days at dosages of 60 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg. Control oligonucleotides are also administered at these doses, and a saline control is also given. Tumor growth rates are monitored for the two-week period of oligonucleotide administration. Activity of the STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides is measured by a reduction in tumor growth. A lower-dose study can also be conducted using the same oligonucleotides at 6 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg.

Example 15 Effect of STAT3 Antisense Oligonucleotides on Leukemic Large Granular Lymphocytes (LGL)

LGL leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disease with autoimmune features and LGL cells are known to be insensitive to Fas-dependent cell death despite high levels of Fas and FasL expression. (Lamy et al., Blood, 1998, 92, 4771-7). STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides were tested for their ability to sensitize LGL cells to the apoptotic signal in these cells.

LGL leukemic cells were obtained from patients who met the clinical criteria of T cell (CD3+) LGL leukemia with increased LGL counts and clonal TCR gene rearrangements. All patients had chronic disease not requiring treatment at the time of analysis. Purified leukemic LGL cells were placed in 24-well plates at a concentration of 2×10⁶/0.5 mL of complete medium (RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM L-glutamine, 10 U/mL penicillin, and 100 ug/mL streptomycin, all from Gibco Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.). Cells were incubated with either ISIS 17148 antisense oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 95) or the control, ISIS 16094 (SEQ ID NO: 152). Antisense oligonucleotide delivery to LGL leukemic cells was by passive uptake and no transfection reagents were included in the reaction.

Both ISIS 17148 and ISIS 16094 are 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings.” The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All 2′-MOE cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines were 5-methyl-cytosines.

Extracts of LGL cells treated with antisense oligonucleotides (1 uM dosing for ISIS 17148 and the control) from three patients were obtained and assayed for STAT3 protein levels by Western blot. Sensitization of the LGL cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis was also measured by flow cytometry in cells treated with antisense oligonucleotides at doses of 1, 2 and 5 uM. By Western analysis, a reduction in STAT3 protein levels ranged from 25 to 45%. Sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis was also significantly increased in the antisense treated cells and was dose dependent. Measurements of percent specific apoptosis in duplicate reactions revealed an increase in apoptosis from 5% in untreated cells to levels of 6, 17 and 24% in antisense-treated cells at 1, 2, and 5 uM, respectively. Levels of apoptosis in control oligonucleotide treated cells remained at 6% at all doses.

Example 16 Induction of Apoptosis in the Human Myeloma Cell Line U266 Following Stat3 Antisense Oligonucleotide Treatment Methods

Cell Culture

U266 cells (ATCC, Bethesda, Md.) were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.), 10 mM Hepes, pH 7.2, 50 μM 2-ME, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin (Gibco, Grand Island, N.Y.).

Oligonucleotide Synthesis and Transfection of U266 Cells

2′-O-methoxyethylribose modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 380B), as described above. Chimeric oligonucleotides were employed in these studies; the chimeric oligonucleotides contain 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified residues flanking a 2′-deoxynucleotide/phosphorothioate region (gap) that supports RNase H activation. Oligonucleotides were analyzed by capillary gel electrophoresis and judged to be at least 85% full-length material. U266 (1×10⁷ cells in PBS) were transfected with oligonucleotides by electroporation, at 175V, 1000 μF using a BTX Electro Cell Manipulator 600 (Genetronics, San Diego, Calif.).

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Apoptosis

10×10⁶ U266 cells were electroporated with oligonucleotides and cultured for 48 hours before analysis of phosphatidylserine expression was performed as a measure of apoptosis using the Annexin-V staining kit (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, the cells were resuspended in 0.2 mL of staining buffer (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 140 mM NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂) and 104 of propidium iodide (50 μg/ml) and 5 μL of Annexin V reagent were added at 4° C. for 10 minutes. The samples were then diluted with FacsFlow buffer and analyzed on a Becton Dickinson FACScan (Mountain View, Calif.).

Results Antisense Inhibition of STAT3 Induces Apoptosis of U266 Multiple Myeloma Cells

In order to examine the importance of STAT3 expression in multiple myeloma cells, a series of 20mer STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized, using phosphorothioate chemistry and incorporating 2′-O-methoxyethyl modifications to improve hybridization affinity and nuclease resistance. Screens performed in U266 mM cells identified several sequences that optimally inhibited STAT3 mRNA expression, as determined by Northern blotting. Two antisense oligonucleotides, ISIS 17148 (SEQ ID NO: 95) and ISIS 113176 (SEQ ID NO: 115) were found to potently inhibit STAT3 mRNA expression in U266 cells following electroporation in a dose-dependent fashion. Control oligonucleotide containing 5 mismatched bases within the 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate central gap region failed to inhibit STAT3 mRNA expression, demonstrating a hybridization-dependent mechanism of target reduction.

Further characterization of the STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides was performed, using Western blotting of nuclear extracts from U266 cells to evaluate STAT3 protein reduction following oligonucleotide transfection. The STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides were found to dose-dependently inhibit STAT3 protein expression in a manner that correlated well with the mRNA inhibition, when evaluated 48 hours after transfection. The five base mismatch control oligonucleotide at the highest dose did not show any effect, further suggesting an antisense mechanism of action.

Previously published data using a dominant negative expression vector encoding STAT3 lacking an intact transactivation domain suggested that STAT3 was a survival factor for MM cells (Catlett-Falcone et al., Immunity 10: 105, 1999). Changes in the proliferative index of STAT3 antisense transfected U266 cells as well as reduced viability in culture following STAT3 antisense transfection led us to determine whether reduction of wild type STAT3 protein would also induce an apoptotic response. Transfection of U266 cells with either ISIS 17148 or 113176 was found to result in increased levels of annexin V staining as assessed by flow cytometry. This effect contrasted to that of control oligonucleotides, either an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to a gene not expressed by U266 cells or the 5 base mismatch control oligonucleotide. These data further support an anti-apoptotic role for STAT3 in multiple myeloma.

Example 17 Design of Phenotypic Assays and In Vivo Studies for the Use of STAT3 Inhibitors Phenotypic Assays

Once STAT3 inhibitors have been identified by the methods disclosed herein, the compounds are further investigated in one or more phenotypic assays, each having measurable endpoints predictive of efficacy in the treatment of a particular disease state or condition. Phenotypic assays, kits and reagents for their use are well known to those skilled in the art and are herein used to investigate the role and/or association of STAT3 in health and disease. Representative phenotypic assays, which can be purchased from any one of several commercial vendors, include those for determining cell viability, cytotoxicity, proliferation or cell survival (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.; PerkinElmer, Boston, Mass.), protein-based assays including enzymatic assays (Panvera, LLC, Madison, Wis.; BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, N.J.; Oncogene Research Products, San Diego, Calif.), cell regulation, signal transduction, inflammation, oxidative processes and apoptosis (Assay Designs Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich.), triglyceride accumulation (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), angiogenesis assays, tube formation assays, cytokine and hormone assays and metabolic assays (Chemicon International Inc., Temecula, Calif.; Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.).

In one non-limiting example, cells determined to be appropriate for a particular phenotypic assay (i.e., MCF-7 cells selected for breast cancer studies; adipocytes for obesity studies) are treated with STAT3 inhibitors identified from the in vitro studies as well as control compounds at optimal concentrations which are determined by the methods described above. At the end of the treatment period, treated and untreated cells are analyzed by one or more methods specific for the assay to determine phenotypic outcomes and endpoints.

Phenotypic endpoints include changes in cell morphology over time or treatment dose as well as changes in levels of cellular components such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, hormones, saccharides or metals. Measurements of cellular status which include pH, stage of the cell cycle, intake or excretion of biological indicators by the cell, are also endpoints of interest. Analysis of the genotype of the cell (measurement of the expression of one or more of the genes of the cell) after treatment is also used as an indicator of the efficacy or potency of STAT3 inhibitors. Hallmark genes, or those genes suspected to be associated with a specific disease state, condition, or phenotype, are measured in both treated and untreated cells.

Example 18 Antisense Inhibition of Human STAT3 by Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

In accordance with the present invention, an additional series of oligonucleotides was designed to target different regions of the human STAT 3, using published sequences (GenBank accession number L29277, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1, the complement of nucleotides 4189213 to 4263636 of the sequence with the GenBank accession number NT_(—)010755.13, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 153 and GenBank accession number NM_(—)139276.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 154). The oligonucleotides are shown in Table 13. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the oligonucleotide binds. All compounds in Table 13 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

The compounds were analyzed for their effect on STAT3 mRNA levels in A549 cells. The human lung carcinoma cell line A549 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). A549 cells were routinely cultured in DMEM basal media (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.), 100 units/mL penicillin, and 100 ug/mL streptomycin (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence.

ISIS 18078 was used as a control oligonucleotide and was used at 75 nM. ISIS 18078 (GTGCGCGCGAGCCCGAAATC, SEQ ID NO: 155) is an chimeric oligonucleotide (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of nine 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide and six-nucleotide “wings”, respectively. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

When cells reached 65-75% confluency, they were treated with oligonucleotide. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells were washed once with 100 L OPTI-MEM-1 reduced-serum medium (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) and then treated with 130 L of OPTI-MEM-1 containing 3.75 g/mL LIPOFECTIN (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 75 nM of the compounds in Table 13. Cells were treated and data were obtained in duplicate. Untreated cells served as controls. After 4-7 hours of treatment at 37° C., the medium was replaced with fresh medium. Cells were harvested 16-24 hours after oligonucleotide treatment. STAT3 mRNA levels in A549 cells were quantitated by real-time PCR as described by other methods herein.

Probes and primers to human STAT3 were designed to hybridize to a human STAT3 sequence, using published sequence information (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1). For STAT 3 the PCR primers were: forward primer: ACATGCCACTTTGGTGTTTCATAA (SEQ ID NO: 156) reverse primer: TCTTCGTAGATTGTGCTGATAGAGAAC (SEQ ID NO: 157) and the PCR probe was: FAM-CAGTATAGCCGCTTCCTGCAAGAGTCGAA-TAMRA (SEQ ID NO: 158) where FAM is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye. This primer probe set is referred to as PPS 199. Gene target quantities obtained by real time RT-PCR are normalized by quantifying total RNA using RiboGreen™ (Molecular Probes, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). In this assay, 170 μL of RiboGreen™ working reagent (RiboGreen™ reagent diluted 1:350 in 10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.5) is pipetted into a 96-well plate containing 30 μL purified, cellular RNA. The plate is read in a CytoFluor 4000 (PE Applied Biosystems) with excitation at 485 nm and emission at 530 nm.

The results of the antisense oligonucleotide treatments are the average of 2 experiments and are shown in Table 13. Data are expressed as percent inhibition relative to untreated control cells.

TABLE 13 Inhibition of human STAT 3 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap Tar- get Seq Tar- % Seq ID get In- ID Isis # Region No Site Sequence hib No 337245 intron 153 6814 AGCCTCTGCACCCTCATGTT 77 159 337246 intron 153 6868 CTCCTAAATTAAGAACTTCT 37 160 337247 intron 153 14801 TTTTGCATGATGTAACCACT 87 161 337248 intron 153 34820 TATTGAAAATTATCTAATTC 0 162 337249 coding 153 40369 TTGGGCCATCCTGCTAAAAT 48 163 337250 exon: 153 50156 ATTCACTTGCCTCCTTGACT 51 164 intron 337251 intron: 153 51124 ATGCCCTTACTCTCCGCATC 74 165 exon 337252 exon: 153 59140 CTGAACTTACCCTCTGAGAG 60 166 intron 337253 exon: 153 64176 AAATGCGGACCCAAGAGTTT 49 167 intron 337254 5′UTR 1 56 CTTGTTCCCTCGGCTGCGAC 57 168 337255 5′UTR 1 79 GCCTGTCCAGGATCCGGTTG 75 169 337256 5′UTR 1 126 GAAGGGCCTCTCCGAGCCGA 67 170 337257 5′UTR 1 148 GGCGGCGAGGCTCCCTCAGG 80 171 337258 5′UTR 1 193 TCCGGCAGAGGCCGAGAGGC 56 172 337259 5′UTR 154 225 CCATCCTGCTAAAATCAGGG 58 173 337260 5′UTR 154 233 CCATTGGGCCATCCTGCTAA 62 174 337261 coding 1 235 TGTCAAGCTGCTGTAGCTGA 79 175 337262 coding 1 299 AACTGCCGCAGCTCCATTGG 74 176 337263 coding 1 326 TCTTGACTCTCAATCCAAGG 79 177 337264 coding 1 339 CGCATATGCCCAATCTTGAC 81 178 337265 coding 1 426 CGACTCTTGCAGGAAGCGGC 92 179 337266 coding 1 453 TCGTAGATTGTGCTGATAGA 61 180 337267 coding 1 470 AGAAACTGCTTGATTCTTCG 62 181 337268 coding 1 484 GATACCTGCTCTGAAGAAAC 75 182 337269 coding 1 491 TTCTCAAGATACCTGCTCTG 74 183 337270 coding 1 496 TTGGCTTCTCAAGATACCTG 89 184 337271 coding 1 541 GTGATTCTTCCCACAGGCAC 85 185 337272 coding 1 629 ATCTGCTGCTTCTCCGTCAC 74 186 337273 coding 1 634 CCAGCATCTGCTGCTTCTCC 73 187 337274 coding 1 647 TGAAGGTGCTGCTCCAGCAT 74 188 337275 coding 1 683 TTCTGTTCTAGATCCTGCAC 82 189 337276 coding 1 708 CTGGAGATTCTCTACCACTT 91 190 337277 coding 1 716 AAGTCATCCTGGAGATTCTC 79 191 337278 coding 1 721 AATCAAAGTCATCCTGGAGA 69 192 337279 coding 1 726 GTTGAAATCAAAGTCATCCT 78 193 337280 coding 1 731 TTATAGTTGAAATCAAAGTC 45 194 337281 coding 1 736 GGGTTTTATAGTTGAAATCA 16 195 337282 coding 1 741 CTTGAGGGTTTTATAGTTGA 58 196 337283 coding 1 746 TGACTCTTGAGGGTTTTATA 71 197 337284 coding 1 751 CTCCTTGACTCTTGAGGGTT 91 198 337285 coding 1 756 CATGTCTCCTTGACTCTTGA 78 199 337286 coding 1 768 ATTCAGATCTTGCATGTCTC 77 200 337287 coding 1 779 TGGTTGTTTCCATTCAGATC 82 201 337288 coding 1 790 TGGTCACTGACTGGTTGTTT 84 202 337289 coding 1 812 TCCAGCTGCTGCATCTTCTG 83 203 337290 coding 1 822 GAGCATCTGTTCCAGCTGCT 80 204 337291 coding 1 848 CTTCTCCGCATCTGGTCCAG 66 205 337292 coding 1 899 TTCTGCACGTACTCCATCGC 81 206 337293 coding 1 925 CAGCCAGCTCCTCGTCCGTG 92 207 337294 coding 1 935 CTCTTCCAGTCAGCCAGCTC 75 208 337295 coding 1 941 TGCCGCCTCTTCCAGTCAGC 82 209 337296 coding 1 999 CCAGTTTTCTAGCCGATCTA 80 210 337297 coding 1 1006 ACGTTATCCAGTTTTCTAGC 72 211 337298 coding 1 1025 AGTTGAGATTCTGCTAATGA 74 212 337299 coding 1 1030 TCTGAAGTTGAGATTCTGCT 80 213 337300 coding 1 1085 CCTTTGTAGGAAACTTTTTG 23 214 337301 coding 1 1162 AGGCACTTTTCATTAAGTTT 73 215 337302 coding 1 1262 TTGACCAGCAACCTGACTTT 61 216 337303 coding 1 1286 AGCTGATAATTCAACTCAGG 85 217 337304 coding 1 1291 TTTTAAGCTGATAATTCAAC 15 218 337305 coding 1 1297 CTTTAATTTTAAGCTGATAA 25 219 337306 coding 1 1302 GCACACTTTAATTTTAAGCT 77 220 337307 coding 1 1307 TCAATGCACACTTTAATTTT 53 221 337308 coding 1 1364 CCCAGAATGTTAAATTTCCG 70 222 337309 coding 1 1414 AGAGGCTGCCGTTGTTGGAT 73 223 337310 coding 1 1433 AAGTGTTTGAATTCTGCAGA 73 224 337311 coding 1 1452 TCTCTGCTCCCTCAGGGTCA 61 225 337312 coding 1 1517 ATCAGGTGCAGCTCCTCAGT 78 226 337313 coding 1 1522 AGGTGATCAGGTGCAGCTCC 61 227 337314 coding 1 1527 CTCAAAGGTGATCAGGTGCA 75 228 337315 coding 154 1571 GAGGCCTTGGTGATACACCT 46 229 337316 coding 154 1579 TCAATCTTGAGGCCTTGGTG 59 230 337317 coding 154 1584 CTAGGTCAATCTTGAGGCCT 55 231 337318 coding 1 1569 GGTCTCTAGGTCAATCTTGA 74 232 337319 coding 1 1577 AAGGAGTGGGTCTCTAGGTC 38 233 337320 coding 154 1602 CTGGCAAGGAGTGGGTCTCT 74 234 337321 coding 154 1609 ACCACAACTGGCAAGGAGTG 80 235 337322 coding 1 1609 TCTGACAGATGTTGGAGATC 69 236 337323 coding 1 1614 TGGCATCTGACAGATGTTGG 79 237 337324 coding 1 1619 GCATTTGGCATCTGACAGAT 79 238 337325 coding 1 1667 TTCTTGGGATTGTTGGTCAG 75 239 337326 coding 1 1778 GTCAGCTGCTCGATGCTCAG 78 240 337327 coding 154 1823 TCCCAAGAGTTTCTCTGCCA 84 241 337328 coding 1 1838 CATGTGATCTGACACCCTGA 85 242 337329 coding 1 1843 TAGCCCATGTGATCTGACAC 88 243 337330 coding 154 1885 GCCATGTTTTCTTTGCAAAA 59 244 337331 coding 1 1873 CCTTGCCAGCCATGTTTTCT 88 245 337332 coding 1 1878 GAAGCCCTTGCCAGCCATGT 91 246 337333 coding 154 1903 AAGGAGAAGCCCTTGCCAGC 90 247 337334 coding 154 1908 CCCAGAAGGAGAAGCCCTTG 85 248 337335 coding 154 1918 TCCAGCCAGACCCAGAAGGA 86 249 337336 coding 1 2048 TCTTTGCTGCTTTCACTGAA 79 250 337337 coding 1 2144 ATGTTGTTCAGCTGCTGCTT 76 251 337338 coding 1 2149 ATGACATGTTGTTCAGCTGC 80 252 337339 coding 1 2154 AGCAAATGACATGTTGTTCA 84 253 337340 coding 1 2159 ATTTCAGCAAATGACATGTT 72 254 337341 coding 1 2164 TGATGATTTCAGCAAATGAC 74 255 337342 coding 1 2174 TTATAGCCCATGATGATTTC 81 256 337343 coding 1 2179 TGATCTTATAGCCCATGATG 84 257 337344 coding 1 2184 ATCCATGATCTTATAGCCCA 90 258 337345 coding 1 2190 GGTAGCATCCATGATCTTAT 86 259 337346 coding 1 2232 AATGTCAGGATAGAGATAGA 55 260 337347 coding 1 2246 GCCTCCTCCTTGGGAATGTC 88 261 337348 coding 154 2273 TCCGAATGCCTCCTCCTTGG 92 262 337349 coding 154 2278 TACTTTCCGAATGCCTCCTC 65 263 337350 coding 154 2283 GACAATACTTTCCGAATGCC 84 264 337351 coding 1 2303 CTACCTGGGTCAGCTTCAGG 74 265 337352 coding 1 2333 ATAAACTTGGTCTTCAGGTA 80 266 337353 coding 1 2351 GTCGTTGGTGTCACACAGAT 81 267 337354 coding 1 2356 TGCAGGTCGTTGGTGTCACA 62 268 337355 coding 1 2361 ATTGCTGCAGGTCGTTGGTG 61 269 337356 coding 1 2366 ATGGTATTGCTGCAGGTCGT 75 270 337357 coding 1 2371 GGTCAATGGTATTGCTGCAG 71 271 337358 coding 1 2381 GACATCGGCAGGTCAATGGT 77 272 337359 coding 154 2423 CAATGAATCTAAAGTGCGGG 57 273 337360 coding 154 2428 TGCATCAATGAATCTAAAGT 71 274 337361 coding 1 2413 CAAACTGCATCAATGAATCT 61 275 337362 coding 1 2418 ATTTCCAAACTGCATCAATG 69 276 337363 coding 1 2456 AACTGCCCTCCTGCTGAGGG 63 277 337364 coding 1 2469 GGTGAGGGACTCAAACTGCC 70 278 337365 3′UTR 1 2550 CAGTCGTATCTTTCTGCAGC 84 279 337366 3′UTR 1 2658 AGATAGCAGAAGTAGGAGAT 66 280 337367 3′UTR 1 2678 AAAGTGCCCAGATTGCTCAA 82 281 337368 3′UTR 1 2684 TTTTTAAAAGTGCCCAGATT 59 282 337369 3′UTR 1 2713 CAGATCACCCACATTCACTC 88 283 337370 3′UTR 1 2729 TGCATTTAGATAAAAGCAGA 78 284 337371 3′UTR 1 2744 GAACACATCCTTATTTGCAT 76 285 337372 3′UTR 1 2759 ATCATGGGTCTCAGAGAACA 88 286 337373 3′UTR 154 2790 CACATCCCCTGATCATGGGT 70 287 337374 3′UTR 154 2826 AGACATTTCCTTTTTCTCCC 67 288 337375 3′UTR 154 2908 ACCAGGAGGCACTTGTCTAA 89 289 337376 3′UTR 154 2914 GCAGGCACCAGGAGGCACTT 83 290 337377 3′UTR 154 2941 GCTTACAGAAACAGGCAGAA 78 291 337378 3′UTR 154 2959 AGGTGGCCTGTGGCATTTGC 16 292 337379 3′UTR 154 2971 GTATGTAGCTATAGGTGGCC 71 293 337380 3′UTR 154 2983 GCAATGCCAGGAGTATGTAG 83 294 337381 3′UTR 154 2992 TTAAAAAGTGCAATGCCAGG 86 295 337382 3′UTR 154 3032 GGCTTAGATAGTCCTATCTT 84 296 337383 3′UTR 154 3047 TAAAAAGAAACCTAGGGCTT 81 297 337384 3′UTR 154 3108 ATACAGAAAGGCTATGCTGA 89 298 337385 3′UTR 154 3121 TTAAGTTTCTTAAATACAGA 70 299

As shown in Table 13, SEQ ID Nos 159, 161, 165, 166, 169, 170, 171, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 220, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 232, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298 and 299 inhibited human STAT3 expression at least 60%.

Example 19 Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Targeted to Human STAT3 Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

In accordance with the present invention, an additional series of oligonucleotides was designed to target different regions of the human STAT 3, using published sequences (GenBank accession number L29277, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1, GenBank accession number NM_(—)139276.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 154). The oligonucleotides are shown in Table 14. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the oligonucleotide binds. All compounds in Table 14 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

TABLE 14 Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides targeted to human STAT3 having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap Target Seq Seq ID Target ID Isis # Region No Site Sequence No 345752 coding 1 631 GCATCTGCTGCTTCTCCGTC 300 345753 coding 1 633 CAGCATCTGCTGCTTCTCCG 301 345754 coding 1 635 TCCAGCATCTGCTGCTTCTC 302 345755 coding 1 636 CTCCAGCATCTGCTGCTTCT 303 345756 coding 1 638 TGCTCCAGCATCTGCTGCTT 304 345757 coding 1 641 TGCTGCTCCAGCATCTGCTG 305 345758 coding 1 643 GGTGCTGCTCCAGCATCTGC 306 345759 coding 1 645 AAGGTGCTGCTCCAGCATCT 307 345760 coding 1 1663 TGGGATTGTTGGTCAGCATG 308 345761 coding 1 1668 ATTCTTGGGATTGTTGGTCA 309 345762 coding 1 1670 ACATTCTTGGGATTGTTGGT 310 345763 coding 1 1671 CACATTCTTGGGATTGTTGG 311 345764 coding 1 1673 TTCACATTCTTGGGATTGTT 312 345765 coding 1 1675 AGTTCACATTCTTGGGATTG 313 345766 coding 1 1677 GAAGTTCACATTCTTGGGAT 314 345767 coding 1 380 AGATTATGAAACACCAAAGT 315 345768 coding 1 382 GGAGATTATGAAACACCAAA 316 345769 coding 1 384 CAGGAGATTATGAAACACCA 317 345770 coding 1 387 TCCCAGGAGATTATGAAACA 318 345771 coding 1 388 CTCCCAGGAGATTATGAAAC 319 345772 coding 1 390 CTCTCCCAGGAGATTATGAA 320 345773 coding 1 392 ATCTCTCCCAGGAGATTATG 321 345774 coding 1 1872 CTTGCCAGCCATGTTTTCTT 322 345775 coding 1 1874 CCCTTGCCAGCCATGTTTTC 323 345776 coding 1 1876 AGCCCTTGCCAGCCATGTTT 324 345777 coding 1 1880 GAGAAGCCCTTGCCAGCCAT 325 345778 coding 1 1882 AGGAGAAGCCCTTGCCAGCC 326 345779 coding 154 1904 GAAGGAGAAGCCCTTGCCAG 327 345780 coding 1 1877 AAGCCCTTGCCAGCCATGTT 328 345781 coding 1 1879 AGAAGCCCTTGCCAGCCATG 329 345782 coding 154 1905 AGAAGGAGAAGCCCTTGCCA 330 345783 coding 154 1907 CCAGAAGGAGAAGCCCTTGC 331 345784 coding 154 1909 ACCCAGAAGGAGAAGCCCTT 332 345785 coding 1 2247 TGCCTCCTCCTTGGGAATGT 333 345786 coding 1 2249 AATGCCTCCTCCTTGGGAAT 334 345787 coding 1 2251 CGAATGCCTCCTCCTTGGGA 335 345788 coding 154 2274 TTCCGAATGCCTCCTCCTTG 336 345789 coding 154 2275 TTTCCGAATGCCTCCTCCTT 337 345790 coding 154 2277 ACTTTCCGAATGCCTCCTCC 338 345791 coding 1 420 TTGCAGGAAGCGGCTATACT 339 345792 coding 1 422 TCTTGCAGGAAGCGGCTATA 340 345793 coding 1 424 ACTCTTGCAGGAAGCGGCTA 341 345794 coding 1 425 GACTCTTGCAGGAAGCGGCT 342 345795 coding 1 427 TCGACTCTTGCAGGAAGCGG 343 345796 coding 1 428 TTCGACTCTTGCAGGAAGCG 344 345797 coding 1 430 CATTCGACTCTTGCAGGAAG 345 345798 coding 1 2176 TCTTATAGCCCATGATGATT 346 345799 coding 1 2178 GATCTTATAGCCCATGATGA 347 345800 coding 1 2180 ATGATCTTATAGCCCATGAT 348 345801 coding 1 2182 CCATGATCTTATAGCCCATG 349 345802 coding 1 2186 GCATCCATGATCTTATAGCC 350 345803 coding 1 2188 TAGCATCCATGATCTTATAG 351 345804 coding 1 2189 GTAGCATCCATGATCTTATA 352 345805 3′UTR 154 3102 AAAGGCTATGCTGATACAGT 353 345806 3′UTR 154 3104 AGAAAGGCTATGCTGATACA 354 345807 3′UTR 154 3106 ACAGAAAGGCTATGCTGATA 355 345808 3′UTR 154 3107 TACAGAAAGGCTATGCTGAT 356 345809 3′UTR 154 3109 AATACAGAAAGGCTATGCTG 357 345810 3′UTR 154 3110 AAATACAGAAAGGCTATGCT 358 345811 3′UTR 154 3112 TTAAATACAGAAAGGCTATG 359 345812 3′UTR 154 3114 TCTTAAATACAGAAAGGCTA 360 345813 3′UTR 1 2753 GGTCTCAGAGAACACATCCT 361 345814 3′UTR 1 2755 TGGGTCTCAGAGAACACATC 362 345815 3′UTR 1 2757 CATGGGTCTCAGAGAACACA 363 345816 3′UTR 1 2758 TCATGGGTCTCAGAGAACAC 364 345817 3′UTR 1 2761 TGATCATGGGTCTCAGAGAA 365 345818 3′UTR 1 2763 CCTGATCATGGGTCTCAGAG 366 345819 3′UTR 1 2765 CCCCTGATCATGGGTCTCAG 367 345820 coding 154 1912 CAGACCCAGAAGGAGAAGCC 368 345822 coding 154 1916 CAGCCAGACCCAGAAGGAGA 369 345823 coding 154 1917 CCAGCCAGACCCAGAAGGAG 370 345824 coding 154 1919 GTCCAGCCAGACCCAGAAGG 371 345825 coding 154 1920 TGTCCAGCCAGACCCAGAAG 372 345826 coding 154 1922 ATTGTCCAGCCAGACCCAGA 373 345827 coding 154 1924 ATATTGTCCAGCCAGACCCA 374 345828 coding 1 2181 CATGATCTTATAGCCCATGA 375 345829 coding 1 2183 TCCATGATCTTATAGCCCAT 376 345830 coding 1 2185 CATCCATGATCTTATAGCCC 377 345831 coding 1 2187 AGCATCCATGATCTTATAGC 378 345832 coding 1 2191 TGGTAGCATCCATGATCTTA 379 345833 coding 1 2192 TTGGTAGCATCCATGATCTT 380 345834 coding 1 2196 GATATTGGTAGCATCCATGA 381

Example 20 Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Targeted to Mouse STAT3, Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

In accordance with the present invention, an additional series of oligonucleotides was designed to target different regions of the mouse STAT 3 RNA, using published sequences (GenBank accession number U06922.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 82, GenBank accession number U30709.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 382). The oligonucleotides are shown in Table 15. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the oligonucleotide binds. All compounds in Table 15 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

TABLE 15 Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides targeted to mouse STAT3 having 2′-MOE wings  and a deoxy gap Target Seq ID Target Seq Isis # Region No Site Sequence ID No 29800 coding 82 2213 TGGTATTGCTGCAGGTCGTT 383 29801 coding 82 2224 CGGCAGGTCAATGGTATTGC 384 29802 coding 82 2230 GGACATCGGCAGGTCAATGG 385 29806 5′UTR 382 11 TTGTACCTCAGCGCGGACGC 386 134027 coding 82 2309 ACTCAAACTGCCCTCCTGCT 95 337354 coding 82 2204 TGCAGGTCGTTGGTGTCACA 268 345821 coding 82 1742 GCCAGACCCAGAAGGAGAAG 90

In a further embodiment, an additional series of oligonucleotides was designed to target mouse STAT 3 RNA, using published sequences (GenBank accession number U06922.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 82). The compounds are shown in Table 16. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular sequence to which the compound binds. All compounds in Table 16 are chimeric oligonucleotides, composed of a “gap” region consisting of twelve 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by “wings” consisting of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The number of 2′-MOE nucleotides in the gaps vary from a length of 2 to 5 nucleotides, with the 2′-deoxynucleotides in plain type and the 2′-MOE nucleotides in bold type. The exact structure of each oligonucleotide is designated in Table 16 as the “wing” structure. A designation of 5˜10˜5, for example, indicates that the first and last 5 nucleotides are 2′-MOE nucleotides and the central 10 nucleotides are 2′ deoxynucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. Unmodified cytidine residues which are underscored; all other cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

TABLE 16 Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides targeted to mouse STAT3, having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ ISIS SEQ ID TARGET WING ID # Region NO SITE SEQUENCE STRUCTURE NO 133003 3′ UTR 82 2527 AAAAAGTGCCCAGATTGCCC 5 ~ 12 ~ 5 99 346030 3′ UTR 82 2527 AAAAGTGCCCAGATTGCCC 4 ~ 10 ~ 5 387 346031 3′ UTR 82 2528 AAAAGTGCCCAGATTGCC 4 ~ 10 ~ 4 388 346032 3′ UTR 82 2528 AAAGTGCCCAGATTGCC 3 ~ 10 ~ 4 389

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an additional series of oligonucleotides was designed to target different regions of the mouse STAT 3 RNA, using published sequence (GenBank accession number U06922.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 82). The oligonucleotides are shown in Table 17. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the oligonucleotide binds. All compounds in table 17 are uniformly composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide, and all cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

TABLE 17 Phosphorothioated uniform 2′MOE oligonucleotides targeted to mouse STAT3 Target Seq ID Target Seq Isis # Region No Site Sequence ID No 29803 coding 82 2253 ATCAATGAATCTAAAGTGCG 93 29805 coding 82 2206 GCTGCAGGTCGTTGGTGTCA 390

Example 21 Antisense Inhibition of Human STAT 3 by Chimeric Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap: Dose Response

In accordance with the present invention, a subset of the antisense oligonucleotides targeted to human STAT3 was further investigated in dose-response studies. The compounds were analyzed for their effect on human STAT 3 mRNA levels in T-24 cells.

The transitional cell bladder carcinoma cell line T-24 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). T-24 cells were routinely cultured in complete McCoy's 5A basal media (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.), penicillin 100 units per mL, and streptomycin 100 micrograms per mL (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872) at a density of 7000 cells/well for use in RT-PCR analysis.

Control oligonucleotides used were ISIS 129695 (TTCTACCTCGCGCGATTTAC, SEQ ID NO: 391), ISIS 129694 (GTACAGTTATGCGCGGTAGA SEQ ID NO: 392), ISIS 129690 (TTAGAATACGTCGCGTTATG SEQ ID NO: 393), ISIS 129686 (CGTTATTAACCTCCGTTGAA SEQ ID NO: 394), ISIS 116847 (CTGCTAGCCTCTGGATTTGA, SEQ ID NO: 395) and ISIS 113529 (CTCTTACTGTGCTGTGGACA SEQ ID NO: 396). These are universal scrambled control oligonucleotides.

T-24 cells were treated with 18.75, 37.5, 75, or 150 nM of oligonucleotide mixed with 3 ug/mL LIPOFECTIN per 100 nM oligonucleotide as described by other examples herein. Untreated cells served as controls. Following 16 hours of treatment, RNA was prepared from cells for subsequent real-time PCR analysis.

Human STAT3 mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time PCR using primer probe set PPS 199 and gene target quantities were normalized using Ribogreen as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from two experiments are shown in Table 18. A “−” or “+” designation indicates a decrease or increase of STAT 3 mRNA expression, respectively, relative to untreated control cells.

TABLE 18 Inhibition of human STAT 3 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap: dose response Percent change of STAT3 expression using PPS 199 Seq ID Oligonucleotide Concentration Isis # No 18.75 nM 37.5 nM 75 nM 150 nM 106747  58 −37 −48 −71 −84 337247 161 −23 −43 −62 −75 337270 184 −29 −41 −67 −87 337276 190 −40 −61 −76 −81 337284 198 −49 −64 −69 −72 337293 207 −26 −49 −66 −79 337303 217 −44 −61 −69 −72 337332 246 −63 −79 −87 −92 337333 247 −48 −73 −82 −88 337344 258 −27 −47 −63 −77 337348 262 −61 −77 −82 −86 337384 298 −40 −55 −71 −80 129695 391 +5 +2 +8 0 129694 392 +4 −3 −4 −10 129690 393 +2 +7 +6 +8 129686 394 +2 +1 −5 +1 116847 395 +7 +4 +8 +5 113529 396 +1 −1 −11 −26

As shown in Table 18, the compounds tested inhibit human STAT3 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner.

The dose-response was repeated in T-24 cells and gene target quantities were measured using a different primer-probe set, called PPS 2033 herein. PPS 2033 comprises probes and primers to human STAT3 were designed to hybridize to a human STAT3 sequence, using published sequence information (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: XXX). For PPS 2033 the PCR primers were:

forward primer: GAGGCCCGCCCAACA (SEQ ID NO: 397)

reverse primer: TTCTGCTAATGACGTTATCCAGTTTT (SEQ ID NO: 398) and the PCR probe was: FAM-CTGCCTAGATCGGC-TAMRA (SEQ ID NO: 399) where FAM is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye. Gene target quantities obtained by real time RT-PCR are normalized by quantifying total RNA using RiboGreen™ (Molecular Probes, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). Control oligonucleotides used were ISIS 129695 (SEQ ID NO: 391), ISIS 129694 (SEQ ID NO: 392), ISIS 129690 (SEQ ID NO: 393), ISIS 129686 (SEQ ID NO: 394), ISIS 116847 (SEQ ID NO: 395) and ISIS 113529 (SEQ ID NO: 396).

T-24 cells were treated with 18.75, 37.5, 75, or 150 nM of oligonucleotide mixed with 3 ug/mL LIPOFECTIN per 100 nM oligonucleotide as described by other examples herein. Untreated cells served as controls. Following 16 hours of treatment, RNA was prepared from cells for subsequent real-time PCR analysis.

Human STAT3 mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time PCR using primer probe set PPS 2033 and gene target quantities were normalized using Ribogreen as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from two experiments are shown in Table 19. A “−” or “+” designation indicates a decrease or increase of STAT 3 mRNA expression, respectively, relative to untreated control cells.

TABLE 19 Inhibition of human STAT 3 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap: dose response Percent change of STAT3 expression using PPS 2033 Seq ID Oligonucleotide Concentration Isis # No 18.75 nM 37.5 nM 75 nM 150 nM 106747  58 −32 −48 −62 −76 337247 161 +17 −21 −53 −69 337270 184 −16 −27 −67 −87 337276 190 −34 −58 −75 −81 337284 198 −49 −62 −66 −68 337293 207 −26 −49 −67 −79 337303 217 −47 −59 −69 −71 337332 246 −66 −79 −85 −91 337333 247 −46 −70 −82 −90 337344 258 −17 −37 −60 −76 337348 262 −53 −76 −83 −86 337384 298 −41 −59 −69 −80 129695 391 −4 +2 +8 +3 129694 392 +19 −1 +7 +2 129690 393 +4 +10 +8 +11 129686 394 +20 +16 +25 +9 116847 395 +45 +33 +22 −2 113529 396 +1 +12 −11 −24

As shown in Table 19, measurement of target gene quantities using PPS 2033 demonstrates that the compounds tested inhibit human STAT3 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner.

An additional dose-response experiment was preformed in A549 cells. A549 cells were treated with 18.75, 37.5, 75, or 150 nM of oligonucleotide mixed with 3 ug/mL LIPOFECTIN per 100 nM oligonucleotide as described by other examples herein. Control oligonucleotides used were ISIS 129686 (SEQ ID NO: 394) and ISIS 129690 (SEQ ID NO: 393). Untreated cells served as controls. Following 16 hours of treatment, RNA was prepared from cells for subsequent real-time PCR analysis.

Human STAT3 mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time PCR using primer probe set PPS 199 and gene target quantities were normalized using Ribogreen as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from two experiments are shown in Table 20. A “−” or “+” designation in the dose response results indicates a decrease or increase of STAT 3 mRNA expression, respectively, relative to untreated control cells.

TABLE 20 Inhibition of human STAT 3 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap: dose response Percent change of STAT3 expression in A549 cells using PPS 199 Seq ID Oligonucleotide Concentration Isis # No 18.75 nM 37.5 nM 75 nM 150 nM 106734  45 −2 −16 −56 −73 337332 246 −31 −61 −77 −87 337333 247 −8 −39 −59 −75 337348 262 −26 −43 −55 −77 129686 394 +27 +23 +22 +19 129690 393 +30 +27 +16 +27

As shown in Table 20, the compounds tested inhibit human STAT3 mRNA expression in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Example 22 Design and Screening of Duplexed Antisense Compounds Targeting STAT3

In accordance with the present invention, a series of nucleic acid duplexes comprising the antisense compounds of the present invention and their complements can be designed to target STAT3. The nucleobase sequence of the antisense strand of the duplex comprises at least a portion of an oligonucleotide targeted to STAT3 as disclosed herein. The ends of the strands may be modified by the addition of one or more natural or modified nucleobases to form an overhang. The sense strand of the dsRNA is then designed and synthesized as the complement of the antisense strand and may also contain modifications or additions to either terminus. For example, in one embodiment, both strands of the dsRNA duplex would be complementary over the central nucleobases, each having overhangs at one or both termini.

For example, a duplex comprising an antisense strand having the sequence CGAGAGGCGGACGGGACCG and having a two-nucleobase overhang of deoxythymidine(dT) would have the following structure:

In another embodiment, a duplex comprising an antisense strand having the same sequence CGAGAGGCGGACGGGACCG may be prepared with blunt ends (no single stranded overhang) as shown:

RNA strands of the duplex can be synthesized by methods disclosed herein or purchased from Dharmacon Research Inc., (Lafayette, Colo.). Once synthesized, the complementary strands are annealed. The single strands are aliquoted and diluted to a concentration of 50 uM. Once diluted, 30 uL of each strand is combined with 15 uL of a 5× solution of annealing buffer. The final concentration of said buffer is 100 mM potassium acetate, 30 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.4, and 2 mM magnesium acetate. The final volume is 75 uL. This solution is incubated for 1 minute at 90° C. and then centrifuged for 15 seconds. The tube is allowed to sit for 1 hour at 37° C. at which time the dsRNA duplexes are used in experimentation. The final concentration of the dsRNA duplex is 20 uM. This solution can be stored frozen (−20° C.) and freeze-thawed up to 5 times.

Once prepared, the duplexed antisense compounds are evaluated for their ability to modulate STAT3.

When cells reached 80% confluency, they are treated with duplexed antisense compounds of the invention. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells are washed once with 200 μL OPTI-MEM-1 reduced-serum medium (Gibco BRL) and then treated with 130 μL of OPTI-MEM-1 containing 12 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN (Gibco BRL) and the desired duplex antisense compound at a final concentration of 200 nM (a ratio of 6 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN per 100 nM duplex antisense compound). After 5 hours of treatment, the medium is replaced with fresh medium. Cells are harvested 16 hours after treatment, at which time RNA is isolated and target reduction measured by RT-PCR.

A series of nucleic acid duplexes comprising the antisense compounds of the present invention and their complements was designed to target STAT3 mRNA, using published sequence (GenBank Accession number L29277, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1). The nucleobase sequence of the antisense strand of the duplex is 20 nucleotides in length. The sequences of the antisense strand are listed in Table 21. The sense strand of the dsRNA is designed and synthesized as the complement of the antisense strand.

All compounds in Table 21 are oligodeoxynucleotides, 21 nucleotides in length with the two nucleotides on the 3′ end being the TT overhang and with phosphodiester internucleoside linkages (backbones) throughout. These sequences are shown to contain thymine (T) but one of skill in the art will appreciate that thymine (T) is generally replaced by uracil (U) in RNA sequences.

TABLE 21 dsRNAs targeted to human STAT3 SEQ ISIS TARGET TARGET ID # REGION SITE SEQ ID SEQUENCE NO 330249 coding 1669 1 ATTCTTGGGATTGTTGGTCTT 400 330247 coding 637 1 CTCCAGCATCTGCTGCTTCTT 401

The compounds in Table 21 were tested for their effects on human STAT3 expression in A549 cells. ISIS 330249 targets the same site as the antisense oligonucleotid ISIS 106734 (SEQ ID NO: 45) and ISIS 330247 targets the same site as the antisense oligonucleotide ISIS 113176 (SEQ ID NO: 115); thus, ISIS 106734 and ISIS 113176 were also tested. A549 cells were treated with oligonucleotide mixed with LIPOFECTIN (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) as described herein. Oligonucleotide concentrations used are indicated in Table 22. The control oligonucleotide used was ISIS 129698 (TTTGATCGAGGTTAGCCGTG, SEQ ID NO: 402). Cells were treated with oligonucleotide for 4 hours and harvested an additional 16 hours later. Untreated cells served as a control.

Human STAT3 mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time PCR using primer probe set PPS 199 and gene target quantities were normalized using Ribogreen as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from two experiments are shown in Table 22. A “−” or “+” designation indicates a decrease or increase of STAT 3 mRNA expression, respectively, relative to untreated control cells. Where present, “N.D.” indicates not determined.

TABLE 22 Inhibition of STAT 3 mRNA levels by dsRNAs Percent change in STAT3 mRNA expression in A549 cells by duplex antisense compounds Oligonucleotide Concentration SEQ 12.5 25 50 100 200 400 Isis # ID NO nM nM nM nM nM nM 330249 400 −64 −70 −80 −83 −87 −81 106734 45 −5 −5 −40 −56 −67 −77 330247 401 +11 −19 −15 −16 −20 −48 113176 115 +8 +17 +6 0 −22 −34 129698 402 N.D. N.D. +41 +42 +1 +22

Example 23 Inhibition of Tumor Growth in LNCaP Mouse Model of Prostate Carcinoma

The LNCaP murine model of human prostate carcinoma is described in Kiyama et al., Cancer Res. 63:3575-3584, 2003, incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, LNCaP human prostatic carcinoma cells were cultured and maintained in RPMI medium (Life Technologies, Inc., Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 5% heat inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS). About 1×10⁶ LNCaP cells were inoculated subcutaneously with 0.1 ml of Matrigel (Becton Dickinson Labware, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) in the flank region of 6-8 week old male athymic nude mice (Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.) via a 27 gauge needle under methoxyfluorane anesthesia. Mice bearing tumors between 300 and 500 mm³ in volume were castrated via a scrotal approach and randomly assigned to treatment with 10 mg/kg of either ISIS 113176 human antisense or ISIS 129987 human mismatch control STAT 3 oligonucleotide intraperitoneally five times per week for the first week followed by three times per week thereafter. Treatment commenced beginning one day after castration. Tumor volumes and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements were performed once weekly. Tumor volumes were calculated by the formula L×W×H×0.5236 (Gleave et al., Cancer Res. 51:1598-1605, 1992). Blood samples were obtained from tail vein incisions of mice, and serum PSA levels were determined by an enzymatic immunoassay kit with a lower limit of sensitivity of 0.2 μg/liter (Abbott IMX, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

ISIS 113176 suppressed the induction of serum PSA levels and tumor growth in the LNCaP xenograft model in castrated nude mice. Similar treatment of mice with the mismatch control oligonucleotide ISIS 129987 had no effect. The observed STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide-mediated effects on PSA and tumor volume were significantly different from mismatch oligonucleotide ISIS 129987 or saline treated controls (student's t-test, Treatment effects were demonstrated out to the end of the observation perion (10 weeks post-castration). To address the potential target-specific toxicit of this approach, normal mice were treated subcutaneously with an optimized murine STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide (up to 50 mg/kg three times per week for 2 weeks) and pharmacodynamic and toxological effects were evaluated in the blood, liver and bone marrow. STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide treatment resulted in 85% liver mRNA reduction and significant inhibition of STAT3 protein in the bone marrow pre-monocytic subpopulation. No overt changes were observed in complete blood counts, liver histology or bone marrow subpopulations in animals treated with STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide. Liver and bone marrow expression of STAT3 was significantly reduced by treatment with STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide. Thus, antisense oligonucleotides to STAT 3 represent a therapeutic opportunity for treatment of prostate cancer. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of inhibiting the expression of STAT3 in a cancer cell comprising contacting said cancer cell with a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 15 to 30 linked nucleosides wherein the modified oligonucleotide is at least 90% complementary to nucleobases 2941 to 3066 of SEQ ID NO:154 over its entire length, thereby inhibiting expression of STAT3.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is single-stranded.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is 100% complementary to nucleobases 2941 to 3066 of SEQ ID NO:154 as measured over the entirety of the oligonucleotide.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified sugar.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the modified sugar is selected from the group consisting of a 2′-O-(2 methoxyethyl), and a bicyclic 2′-C, 4′-C-oxymethylene linkage 4′-(CH₂)_(n)—O-2′, wherein n is 1 or
 2. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gap segment consisting of linked deoxyribonucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gap segment consisting often linked deoxyribonucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar; and wherein each internucleoside linkage of said antisense oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate linkage; and wherein each cytosine in said antisense oligonucleotide is a 5-methylcytosine.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified internucleoside linkage.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleobase.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine. 